Nazri: Debate with Dr M called off because Umno members ordered to lodge police reports

Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (pic) has claimed that his proposed debate with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was cancelled because several Umno leaders were instructed by police to lodge reports against the event.

The Umno supreme council member said he had obtained copies of five police reports, all in identical formats and with similar statements opposed to the scheduled debate.

He said among those who signed the reports were an Umno branch leader in his constituency, an Umno Youth member and a village head.

“I asked all three of them, why did you do this? They said the police instructed them to do so.

“They (the police) played a game. Truly, they played us out. I don’t care if the police are listening,” he told the audience during a dialogue session organised by the Umno Overseas Club alumni on Sunday night.

Nazri, who is Tourism and Culture Minister, said he was angered by the police action because the final impression given was that he had backed out of the debate.

“It is ridiculous to suggest that I, as a minister, debating with Dr Mahathir ... can lead to a fight.

“I am very angry because it makes no sense to say that a minister participating in a debate can be considered a security threat.

“Now, people think that it is typical of a minister to back out of a debate. Maybe that is the case with other ministers. Minister Nazri Aziz is different,” he added.

Nazri was originally scheduled to debate against the former prime minister at the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, on March 25, but police denied the organisers a permit.

The debate was then postponed to April 7 at the Karangkraf headquarters in Shah Alam, and had received an initial approval from police before it was withdrawn at the last minute due to “security concerns”.