The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has snubbed a minister's proposal for it to debate with human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen.

Jakim director Othman Mustapha said the debate would be a distraction to Paulsen's sedition investigation.

Paulsen is being investigated under the Sedition Act for a Twitter posting, in which he accused Jakim of spreading extremism in the Friday sermons read out in mosques in the Federal Territories and states without rulers.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek yesterday called for a debate between the two parties following the spat between Jakim and Paulsen.

However, Othman, responding to a text message from Malaysiakini, said Paulsen could explain himself in court.

"Eric's case is under police investigation, debate is not the issue, it is not the main thing.

"Let this be resolved in the courts first," Othman said.

Yesterday, Paulsen welcomed Shabery's proposal, stating that he would gladly debate with Jakim.

Othman (left), on the other hand, said Paulsen should not use the debate offer to wiggle himself out of police investigation.

"He should not find tricks to avoid investigations by shifting attention to defending himself in a debate. Solve it in court first," he said.

Yesterday, Shabery offered a television station to air a possible debate between Jakim and Paulsen, stating that the lawyer should publicly explain his accusations against the religious authority.

"I would agree if Jakim consents to debate with Eric (Paulsen), to go to any television station and explain what he meant by his statement," Shabery told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.