Tony Pua urges Salleh to re-offer RTM or TV3 as platform live debate on 1MDB

DAP lawmaker Tony Pua has urged Communications and Multimedia Minister to once again offer TV stations, RTM or TV3 as a platform to a televised live debate on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad alleged financial misappropriations.

1MDB president and group executive director Arul Kanda Kandasamy has accepted a challenge to debate with the Petaling Jaya Utara member of parliament despite having provided his full testimony to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the allegations surrounding the national strategic development company.

Pua today stated that Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak was quick and eager to offer the platform for the debate last October, before it was cancelled.

“Hence, in light of public interest in the matter, I'm sure he will make the same offer to host the event above,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby here today.

Pua also said Arul Kanda has accepted his second challenge to a public debate on 1MDB.

"I've issued a second challenge for Arul Kanda to do a face-off in a ‘live’ talk show or a debate on April 14, 2016.

"This was because the initial challenge for the debate was blocked by the Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia who has threatened to resign if the debate goes on, while it is still under investigation under PAC.

"Arul Kanda has contacted me to make the necessary arrangements for the event. He has assigned 1MDB Head of Communications, Robert Ho to lead the discussions on the format and structure of the debate," he said.

He added that on his side, Serdang MP, Dr Ong Kian Ming and Kulai MP, Teo Nie Ching will be in touch with Ho to finalise the matter.

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