KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today said he was looking forward to debating with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his fellow PKR member Rafizi Ramli on the financially troubled Sapura Energy Bhd.
“Game on. I agree to debate with Anwar. Let’s rock!” Najib said in a Facebook post.
“I ask Anwar and Rafizi’s team to make arrangements with the media if they intend for it (debate) to be aired live.”
Najib also told the two opposition leaders to contact his assistant to find a date that suits everyone involved.
Rafizi, who is PKR vice-president, had previously challenged Najib to a debate over the embattled Sapura Energy, a public-listed company with large financial backing from state-owned Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNB), which holds a 40% stake in the company.
Sapura Energy’s financial woes recently came under the spotlight, with the firm’s requirement for further financial aid raising questions on whether PNB, which is also in charge of funds like Amanah Saham Bumiputera, would have to pump further funds.
Yesterday, Najib, who was prime minister from 2009 to 2018, said he was prepared to accept the debate challenge by Rafizi on the condition that Anwar should also be part of it.
Earlier today, Anwar said he accepted the challenge from the Pekan MP to a debate.
“My stand has been clear and unwavering for over 10 years, as I have thrown similar challenges at him (Najib) but (they) were not responded to,” Anwar said in a statement.
“He is now choosing to challenge me in the month of Ramadan after failing to respond to a rebuttal by my (party) colleague Rafizi on Sapura’s ‘bailout’ crisis at a time when the welfare of the poor and small businesses is not protected.
“I am ready to face and debate Najib anytime, for the sake of the country and the people.”
Najib today said he did not understand Anwar’s allegation that the Pekan MP had challenged him to debate during the early part of the Ramadan holy month, after failing to answer Rafizi's question on the bailout of Sapura.
Najib said it appeared as though Rafizi had “lied” to Anwar when he briefed the opposition leader on the issue.
“The person who first challenged me for a debate was Rafizi, a day or two before Ramadan began,” Najib said.
“I merely responded to it (the challenge).”
Najib added that he had responded to all of Rafizi’s claims on Sapura Energy. – The Vibes, April 4, 2022
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