Ismail said debates were not a part of Malaysia’s political culture.

“If we debate, he (Anwar) will talk about his promises, (he will promise) the moon and the stars, so there is no need (to debate),” he told a press conference after a briefing at Bukit Aman.

He was responding to a question on Anwar’s proposal for a debate among Ismail, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin and himself.

Anwar, who is PH’s prime minister candidate, previously said the debate should focus on policy matters.

Ismail, an Umno vice-president, also said finding time for a debate would be challenging.

“I don’t think we need to have a debate, we’re all busy in our respective areas, campaigning in our constituencies,” he said.

On BN’s election preparations, he said the coalition’s top leadership has received a shortlist of candidates from each state BN secretary.

He said the coalition will further scrutinise the shortlisted candidates.

“We will screen the candidates against police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and insolvency department records,” he said, adding that shariah court records may also be checked.

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