Arul : Why not Rafizi in PAC, so Pua can debate me?

It was specifically Pua who challenged me. He made it personal, and used mocking words like ‘I will not punch him’, ‘my allegations’, ‘embarrassing me’ etc, says Arul Kanda.

KUALA LUMPUR: 1MDB Chief Arul Kanda Kandasamy has pointed out in a statement that when Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua issued the debate challenge, he accepted, with no conditions. “There was never any question of debate with Pakatan which has now appeared out of nowhere, in a desperate and last-minute attempt, to save Pua from embarrassment.”

“These are clearly political games which I, as a professional, will not be drawn into.”

“The obvious question is why doesn’t Rafizi replace Pua in the PAC, so that he can debate me? It was specifically Pua who challenged me. He made it personal, and used mocking words like ‘I will not punch him’, ‘my allegations’, ‘embarrassing me’ etc.

Arul Kanda however hastened to add that he respects Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, Pua’s replacement, as a worthy opponent. “He is a good debater, orator and gentleman. I enjoyed sparring with him in our younger days,” said Arul Kanda. “However, the Speaker is the ultimate authority on all matters relating to Parliament. He has made his ruling on my responsibility as a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) witness and that any debate should only take place after the PAC hearings.”

As for the 10 questions that Pua wanted to raise during the debate, he confirmed that 1MDB will respond to them, but at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum, including a lawful authority such as the PAC. “1MDB reiterates our readiness to appear in front of the PAC. In the meantime, my team and I remain focused and committed to implementing the 1MDB rationalization plan.”

Arul Kanda noted that Pua has now confirmed he will not resign from the PAC and that he will no longer debate him. “He has chosen to hide behind his PAC membership, to run away from a showdown he aggressively harassed me to accept, which I agreed to with zero conditions,” lamented Arul Kanda. “In hindsight, I suspect Pua’s challenge was more politically motivated than a desire for the truth to prevail.”

“As a two-term MP, surely he is well versed in Parliamentary procedures and knew all along, that the debate could not take place.”

Arul Kanda recalled that Pua challenged him to a “live” televised debate on 29 October 2015. He accepted on the same day but on one condition i.e. “in order to maintain the integrity of the PAC’s investigation, and to avoid any conflict of interest, Pua must first resign from the PAC”.

“When Pua lacked the courage to do the right thing and resign from the PAC, on 31 October 2015, I withdrew the condition. I accepted his challenge with zero conditions as Pua has made so many wrong allegations about 1MDB and me personally, that I wanted to publicly debate with and correct him.”