BN’s communications strategy director Abdul Rahman Dahlan has brushed aside concerns that his planned debate with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would jeapordise investigations against the latter.

"I think this debate will not disturb the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commision's investigation.

"In fact it might help," Rahman tweeted late last night.

He was responding to MACC special committee on corruption (SCC) chief Abu Zahar Ujang, who urged the debate to be called off yesterday.

Abu Zahar said the debate on the Taman Manggis land deal may jeapordise investigations into Lim's controversial bungalow purchase.

However, Rahman said the debate was important and hoped the SCC would reconsider.

Lim in a statement today also said the debate should still be held.

"This debate should be allowed to proceed in the spirit of healthy democratic engagement and the interests of 'seeking truth from facts'," Lim said.

'Let it be held on April 16'

He also repeated his ultimatum that the showdown be held on April 16.

RTM and TV3 have both offered to air the debate.

Both Rahman and Lim have been locking horns, almost on a daily basis through the media, since news of the chief minister purchasing a bungalow at below market price surfaced.

The debate then shifted to the Taman Manggis land.

The contention here is over the alleged sale of KLIDC, which bought the state land in Taman Manggis.

The minister alleged that the company has changed hands while the chief minister argued that this was not true.

Besides Nazri, the MACC special comittee on corruption has also called for the debate on the controversial Taman Manggis land to be cancelled.

Adamant about pursuing the showdown

However both Lim and Rahman are adamant about pursuing the showdown.

The two have been locking horns, almost on a daily basis through the media, since news of the chief minister purchasing a bungalow at below the market price surfaced.

The debate then shifted to the Taman Manggis land.

The contention here is over the alleged sale of KLIDC, which has bought the state land in Taman Manggis.

The minister alleged that the company has changed hands while the chief minister argued that this was not true.