Najib-Anwar to face-off over Sapura on May 12

PETALING JAYA: The public debate between former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the Sapura Energy Bhd issue will be held at 9pm, May 12.

It will be held at Dewan Tunku Cancelor, Universiti Malaya.

This was revealed during a joint press conference between Selangor Barisan Nasional information chief Isham Jalil and PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil.

The debate will focus on three parts.

The first will be over Sapura Energy, a government-linked company (GLC), that had announced a loss of RM8.9 billion last year, which Najib said was the largest for any Malaysian GLC in history.

Najib has been pushing for a bailout of the company, while PKR Vice-President Rafizi Ramli is against the idea.

This will be followed over the debate on issues linked to economy, politics, governance and the direction of the country. This will be followed by questions and answers.

Fahmi said the two-hour debate will be shown live over various social media.

"We believe the public is eagerly waiting for the debate. It is an opportunity for Malaysians to evaluate and listen to differing views, a sign of mature politics," he added.

Ishan said the hall may accommodate about 500 people with 300 participants at the upper floor while the remainder at the lower floor.