Go debate with the judge - Syed Saddiq tells Najib

Rather than debating DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has suggested that former premier Najib Abdul Razak debate with a judge in court.

When contacted, the former champion debater said he agreed with Lim's move to back down from debating Najib as he saw no reason to proceed and debate with a man accused of being a thief.

"Why do we need to debate with a thief? I suggest Najib debate with a judge in court.

"He will be placed on trial there. This is a government that holds fast to the rule of law," he told Malaysiakini.

Earlier this week, Najib had proposed that he and Lim engage in a public debate because he claimed that he was frequently on the receiving end of the latter's public statements.

Najib even suggested that Lim could propose a topic to which the latter promptly accepted the challenge and stated that the topic would be "How Malaysia became a global kleptocracy".

Najib subsequently agreed to the title, but said that in fairness, other topics must also be included.

However, Lim on Thursday said he would back down from the debate as there were concerns that it could be used to stir up racial sentiments.

He also denied that his decision was due to cowardice.

Najib, in response, instead claimed that Lim had backed down due to concerns within Harapan and DAP of a potential defeat against him. - mkini