Arul Kanda accepts Tony Pua's debate challenge

PETALING JAYA: 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) president and group executive director Arul Kanda Kandasamy has accepted DAP lawmaker Tony Pua's challenge for a live debate.
However, Arul Kanda has asked for Pua to get permission from the relevant authorities for the proposed debate.
"To avoid being embarrassed a second time, I hope Pua has checked with the Parliament Speaker before issuing this debate challenge.
"Regardless, I hereby accept the debate challenge. Bring it on!" Arul Kanda said in a media statement today.
Pua had issued a live televised debate challenge to Arul Kanda during a forum organised by Pakatan Harapan in Shah Alam last night.
He had first issued the challenge to Arul Kanda last year, when the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) investigation into 1MDB's affairs was still on-going. However, at that time Arul Kanda said it was not possible unless Pua resigns from his post as PAC member.
Although Arul Kanda had accepted the challenge later, the live debate between the two did not materialise as Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia had rejected the idea due to Pua's involvement as PAC member with the 1MDB investigation.
Meanwhile, Arul Kanda said Pua is an individual who confused and contradicted himself.
"He does not know if he loves me or hates me. He called for my resignation but moments later he said I should stay on and debate with him.
"What is clear is that, despite him almost exclusively questioning me for two full days at the PAC (Public Accounts Committee hearing), the DAP representative still wants to spend quality time with me. Far be it from me, to deny Pua this pleasure," he added.