Tun M-Najib debate: Government to review SOP first - Shabery

Several things needed to be checked first before an public debate between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad could take place.

Communication and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said he would need to review the standard operating procedures (SOP) in conducting such a debate.

"But first, I need to check if Dr Mahathir had ever did a live open debate on television during his tenure as prime minister...if he had offered the same opportunity to his political critics to discuss controversies.

"From there, we will make a decision," Ahmad Shabery told reporters after launching the Huawei ICT Roadshow 2015 in the city today.

Last Saturday, Dr Mahathir had expressed willingness to have a public debate with Najib on various issues, including 1MDB's.

He had also said he was ready to be sacked from UMNO if the party leadership decided on it, for his actions in criticising the party president.

On Sunday, Najib had posted on his blog NajibRazak.com a list of 13 issues and accusations hurled towards him and the government, including the murder case of Altantuya Shaariibuu, in his effort to clear the air.

However, Dr Mahathir yesterday said Najib's 'answers' were not answers at all.

The proposal of public debate between Dr Mahathir and Najib had received some support from various quarters, including former Batu Kawan UMNO deputy chief, Khairuddin Abu Hassan's.