Negotiators representing PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak have yet to set a time and date for their debate showdown on the Sapura Energy issue.
According to PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil, the two camps have opposing views on when the debate should be held.
"Anwar is prepared to do it quite soon but Najib’s team wants some days after Hari Raya... I think people want to see the debate soon," he told Malaysiakini.
In a Facebook post later, Selangor BN information chief Isham Jalil said the fasting month is a time to focus on worship, not debate.
“We have no problems even if Anwar wants a debate tonight, but please respect those who are fasting and performing tarawih prayers just for the next few weeks.
“Surely we’re not going to debate while fasting, or after tarawih prayers late into the night? After the fasting month, we can debate to our hearts’ content,” he said.
Hari Raya is expected to fall on May 3 this year, which also marks the end of the fasting month. Tawarih prayers are extra prayers performed at night throughout Ramadan after breaking fast and typically last until around 9.30pm.
Najib and Anwar agreed to the debate last week.
Fahmi said negotiators from both sides will be meeting tomorrow to hash things out.
Besides the time and date, other things that will be discussed are media partners and moderators, he added. Isham confirmed with Malaysiakini he will be meeting Fahmi tomorrow.
Najib wants the debate to be broadcast live and several media agencies are reportedly in talks to host the event.
The Universiti Malaya Students Union has offered to moderate.
Sapura Energy’s woes
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
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