The debate will be aired live on Astro Awani and 8TV as well as the media outlets’ Facebook and YouTube channels.

Wee had first challenged the Bagan MP to debate the issue on a public platform during the last Dewan Rakyat meeting, which the former finance minister swiftly accepted.

But the pair had been going back and forth issuing statements and taking jabs on social media at one another after failing to settle on a date for the debate.

Finally, last week, Lim said he agreed to debating the issue on Nov 2.

The cabotage exemption had previously allowed foreign vessels to perform undersea repair jobs in Malaysian waters.

However, in November, Wee revoked the exemption for submarine cable repair to encourage local ships to undertake such jobs, dismissing claims that it would affect investment

Lim had said the cabotage policy would cost Malaysia RM12 billion to RM15 billion in foreign investments.