I kept mum because Dr M didn't ask, says Nazri

Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said he kept quiet during his meeting with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over cendol yesterday because he was not asked any questions.

"Mahathir said it is his call to ask, not me. So I just waited for him to ask me anything.

"He did not ask (anything) and I don't want to encroach into his privacy. He was enjoying his cendol.

"Out of respect, I just waited for him (but) he never asked," Nazri told Malaysiakini when contacted.

At an Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) event last night, Mahathir had revealed that Nazri made an effort to meet when the former made a stop a Kuala Kangsar's famous cendol and laksa stalls. According Mahathir, Nazri was silent during the meet.

Respecting their wishes

According to Nazri, Bersatu vice president Hamidah Osman had earlier said there was not going to be any speeches at the stalls.

As it was the venue of a Bersatu event, he said he was merely respecting their wishes.

"It is their occasion, it's not mine, so I respected what they asked of me, so I didn't say anything.

"But I was talking a lot to the person beside me on the right, because he was asking me questions so I replied, but Mahathir never asked me anything," he added later.

One of Mahathir's entourage mentioned Perak River during their encounter, he said, and Mahathir said he wanted to see it.

"We just followed him, then he was talking to the person standing in between us and finally he said he's going and I just wished him safe journey, that's all," he explained.

Saving it for April 7

He said that though there wasn't an exchange yesterday, the actual talking will take place when they meet on stage in Shah Alam on April 7.

"If there is to be any discourse, it will be on April 7. I won't be silent. I expect him to ask me a lot of questions," he said.

Nazri also clarified that it is not a debate, but a discourse as Mahathir is the one who said he wants to ask him questions.

The much-anticipated debate between Mahathir and Nazri was originally scheduled for March 25 in Kuala Kangsar but was canceled after the Perak police refused to grant approval.

Their meeting is now set for April 7 in Shah Alam, where they are expected to discuss the 1MDB, forex and Bumiputera Malaysia Finance scandals.- Mkini