Rafizi should convince Speaker to allow debate, says PAC member

PETALING JAYA: PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli should try to persuade the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to allow him to debate against 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) chief Arul Kanda Kandasamy, says Datuk Liang Teck Meng.

“Perhaps, as a member of parliament, YB Rafizi can convince the speaker to allow Arul to debate without voiding his right to appear as a witness? YB Rafizi should pursue this,” said the Gerakan MP for Simpang Renggam.

Pakatan Harapan on Thursday offered the Pandan MP as a replacement for Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua in the proposed debate against Arul Kanda.

Pua pulled out from debating Arul Kanda as his status as PAC member would jeopardise the ongoing probe by the committee into 1MDB.

“I do not know what YB Rafizi understands from the Speaker's and Arul Kanda's statement.  But this is what I understand: The honourable Speaker clearly said that Arul is not allowed to debate publicly before the PAC hearing or he will be disqualified as a witness. Arul will be called to face the inquiry on Dec 1 – less than a month away,” said Liang.

Liang , who is also a PAC member, said that Arul has every right to state and defend 1MDB’s case without prejudice in the PAC hearing and that he should not be deprived of that right.

He explained that Arul’s unconditional debate acceptance was only for Pua and not Rafizi, further advising the Pandan MP to let Pua fight his own battles.

“However, YB Rafizi is more than welcome to swap places with YB Tony if he so chooses and allow YB Tony to fulfil his own challenge to Arul. As a member of the PAC, I would personally support YB Rafizi to do this, as I have no doubt that he is equally as competent as YB Tony, if not more, and will be an asset to the PAC,” said Liang.

 “I have always maintained the PAC inquiry is the best platform if the truth is really what you seek. But it appears certain politicians want to continue to gain political mileage out of this,” he added, further urging everyone to give PAC members the “space to do our job entrusted to us by the Parliament”.