PADANG RENGAS: Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz today insisted that the debate session with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, expected to be held on April 7, is not a cheap publicity stunt.
"This has nothing to do with my political mileage and I am not seeking cheap publicity too. I don't need that because I am already famous...people know me.
"Just search my name on the Internet and you will find a lot of news about me. I don't need this debate to make a name (for myself) and I am not young anymore. I am a 63-year-old man," he added.
Nazri, who is also Padang Rengas MP, said the objective of the debate between him and the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman is to defend Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak against Dr Mahathir's negative remarks.
"The debate sessions will touch on issues including the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Malaysian Official 1 (MO1) and others," he said in a press conference after opening Umno Padang Rengas meeting at Dewan Millenium Lubok Merbau.
The debate was scheduled yesterday at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Sultan Azlan Shah in Kuala Kangsar but police had to call it off since there was no formal application to hold the event.
However, Nazri and Dr Mahathir went ahead with their meeting yesterday, but over 'laksa' and 'cendol'. They met for about half an hour at Lembah Kuala Kangsar and had a short stroll along Sungai Perak.
The April 7 debate is expected to be held at the Karangkraf’s headquarters in Shah Alam at 8.30pm.