Zaid accept Rais challenge to debate anytime, anywhere

KUALA LUMPUR, - Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Datuk Seri Rais Yatim today and says that he is ready to debate the new Minister of Information, Communication and Culture.

The maverick politician's only conditions are that Rais has to specify exactly what he wants to debate and that it has to be televised.

"Yes, I will debate Rais on any subject he wants, anytime and anywhere," Zaid told The Malaysian Insider.

"But RTM must show it otherwise it is a waste of time."

Bernama today reported that Rais challenged Zaid to a public debate over his allegations against Najib, as the former minister has been often quoted in the foreign media.

Rais also accused the foreign media of trying to topple prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"However, we must study (the situation) and if I have the chance, I want to have a debate with those trying to implicate our leader with unbecoming and nonsensical words," Rais said.

The veteran minister has been reported as blaming the media for various troubles that plague Umno and the Barisan Nasional ever since he was appointed to his current portfolio earlier this month.

Zaid quit the government and Umno last year over disagreements on political reforms. He remains an independent politician but is expected to join an opposition party. (TMI)

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Rais -It's hard to get rid of money politics in UMNO

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim who is eyeing the post of party vice president, said today that it was difficult to rid Umno of money politics.

Money politics, he said, had become an Umno culture for a long time but not many were willing to admit it.

"It is better if we admit it and the people can then judge us so that they will in the end see this political party is clean.

"I feel that if there is no end to money politics, it's better if Umno were to hold an open tender -- those with the highest bid become leaders," he said.

Rais who is Foreign Minister said, it was not impossible to wipe out money politics but the main obstacle was getting the evidence and Umno did not have sufficient resources to closely monitor the practice.

"The best way probably we can see in our friends from MCA and Gerakan. They do not impose strict conditions (on eligibility to vie for posts) but generally, they are free from all these practices.

"I may be wrong but I believe transparency is the best teacher and we should learn from past experiences especially when the past experience we had gone through tasted bitter," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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