Anwar wants Najib to stop 'flip-flopping' on debate

 

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has urged former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to go ahead with the planned debate on the financially troubled Sapura Energy Berhad as soon as possible instead of flip-flopping on the matter.

The opposition leader pointed out that Najib initiated the challenge for them to debate and he has already agreed to it.

"I hope Najib will not flip-flop further. He challenged me (to answer) and I responded. God willing, let's meet,” he said in a video on Facebook.

The two sides cannot agree on a time and date, but Anwar indicated that he’s ready to proceed without delay.

"In early Ramadan, Najib challenged me to a debate. I pointed out it's the fasting month. But since there has been a challenge, I responded that I am prepared anytime, unconditionally, as long as it is conducted openly where people can watch.

"But now, they (Najib’s camp) are saying it’s not proper to have the debate conducted this month and that it should be held instead in Syawal (next month after Hari Raya). He also wanted it held on a small portal.

"I, however, insist that the debate should be open to public viewing with the participation of bigger media outlets. Do not restrict the freedom of the media so that the people can judge," he added.

Anwar called for wide media coverage of the debate as he does not want it limited to one news portal.

“Newspapers or mainstream news agencies should take part in efforts to foster a healthy and open culture of discourse," he said.

Earlier in the week, negotiators representing the two politicians had opposing views on when the debate should be held. Anwar and Najib both agreed to the debate last week.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said Anwar was prepared to do it soon but Najib’s team wants it some days after Hari Raya.

This is as, according to Selangor BN information chief Isham Jalil, the fasting month is a time to focus on worship, not debate.

To bail out or not

Sapura Energy is a public-listed company but has received large investments from state-owned Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), which is in charge of funds such as Amanah Saham Bumiputera and Amanah Saham Malaysia.

PNB holds a 40 percent stake in Sapura Energy, which had increased from slightly more than 10 percent in 2018 as it continued to pump money into the firm which was facing financial challenges.

Sapura Energy recently required further financial help, raising questions if PNB will have to pump further funds to get the firm out of its financial woes.

Najib has proposed a government bailout for Sapura, while PKR's Rafizi Ramli said the company's new management can sort things out for themselves. - Mkini