“We need to be transparent, accountable and open. What’s there to hide if no wrong has been done?” he told FMT.
Nazri, who is tourism and culture minister, has accepted Mahathir’s challenge to a debate on 1MDB, the Bumiputera Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal, and the RM2.6 billion deposited into Prime Minister Najib Razak’s bank accounts.
But DAP’s Zaid Ibrahim is doubtful the debate will take place as Nazri will be told there is nothing about 1MDB that warrants a debate.
Ramon said the government should see the debate as an opportunity to clear its name after having been accused of “misdemeanour”.
He said the debate should be televised live and urged both parties to only present the facts and not political rhetoric.
“Debate this issue and other issues on public policy. Let the public make their own judgement.”
Yesterday, Mahathir, now chairman of new opposition outfit Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, challenged Nazri to a public debate on the three issues.
Nazri told FMT last night he would be ready for the debate as soon as he returned to Malaysia from a working visit to Berlin. He is scheduled to return on Monday.
Attorney-General Apandi Ali had cleared Najib of any wrongdoing in the RM2.6 billion funnelled into Najib’s accounts, stating he was satisfied with Najib’s explanation that the money was a personal donation from the Saudi royal family.