In a Facebook post early this morning, Saravanan said he would be more than delighted to explain and “educate” the Penang deputy chief minister on the specific request he made to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the US on allegations of forced labour in the country.
“I have been made to understand that Ramasamy has invited me to a debate on matters pertaining to forced labour.
“His initial statement was made without fully considering the context of my request to ILO and the US authorities. Thus, I was compelled to react,” he said.
Yesterday, the two leaders were involved in an argument over the statement Saravanan made on forced labour, asking the ILO and US government to keep the ministry informed about such practices in the country.
Ramasamy then accused the minister of taking the easy way out by asking the US and ILO to investigate forced labour practices in Malaysia. He then called for a debate to clear the air on the matter.
He said it was not the job of the US or the ILO to investigate or interfere with labour practices here, but the responsibility of the Malaysian government and the human resources ministry.
In a response on the same day, Saravanan lambasted Ramasamy and former human resources minister M Kula Segaran saying, as politicians, they should realise that a person’s track record “speaks of your service”.
“If you do not understand, please keep your mouth shut and not talk to achieve cheap publicity,” he added.
Saravanan said like Ramasamy, he hoped this would not be just a debate but would focus more on the sharing of knowledge on the efforts of his ministry in handling the issue.
“My hope is also that the debate will be confined to statements issued by both parties on social media pertaining to the forced labour issue.
“I hope he won’t stray to other non-related agendas. I hope this is not just another DAP drama,” he said.
He suggested that a reputable organisation, which is politically neutral and well versed in matters of labour, moderate this debate, adding that he was looking forward to it.
In a statement today, Ramasamy said he was glad the minister had accepted the challenge to debate him and hoped he would not find excuses at the last minute to cancel the debate.
“I hope he does not wiggle out at the last moment by saying that he is not agreeable to the terms of the debate.
“Even before there is an official agreement to debate, Saravanan seems to be laying conditions. Let us have an open debate on forced labour without any preconditions laid,” adding that there was a need to appoint a moderator and decide on the venue.