The organiser, Karangkraf managing director Hussamuddin Yaacub, told local Malay daily Sinar Harian he had received a letter from the Shah Alam district police chief ACP Shafien Mamat on this.
He was bemused as police had earlier today given approval for the debate to go on.
“I apologise to all our Sinar Harian readers, Dr Mahathir and Mohamed Nazri.
“The reason given was that there were protests from around the area.
“In view of public order, the approval for the peaceful rally permit was cancelled,” he was quoted in the Sinar Harian website.
He said preparations for the debate had already been completed.
He said Sinar Harian would abide by the decision as it respected the government’s decision not to pursue the debate.
“But Sinar Harian will continue to hold other discourses like we had before. Insha-Allah, Sinar Harian will be the stage to debate, not to criticise anyone.”
Karangkraf, the host for next Friday’s debate between Umno minister Nazri and Mahathir, was given the nod by Shah Alam police chief ACP Shafien Mamat through a letter, said Sinar Harian.
Hussamuddin had said only 450 invited people would be allowed to attend the debate.
He had said as a precaution, the debate would not be open to the public.
It was to kick off at 9pm on April 7 at the Karangkraf Group’s complex in Shah Alam.
Mahathir had challenged Nazri to debate on issues such as the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF) controversies, and the RM2.6 billion donation from Saudi royalty.