Deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad Maslan has turned down a debate dare by Anak, a PAS-linked group representing disgruntled Felda settlers.

Instead, Ahmad said that he would rather face Anak chief Mazlan Aliman at a closed-door dialogue, where the deputy minister promised he would answer all allegations about the Felda scheme.

NONE "If he is a anak jantan (man), take up my challenge," said Ahmad ( left ) at a press conference at the Tenang media centre today.

He said that Mazlan's call for a one-hour debate would not resolve problems faced by Felda settlers.

He also claimed that Mazlan was merely trying to use an open platform to seek political popularity.

"I will bring all my officers to answer his allegations on Felda. If one day is not enough, we can do it over two days," he said.

"We want to solve problem, not to seek popularity."

'I was once a school debate champ'

Ahmad stressed that he was not running away from a debate, stressing that he had a stellar record as a debate champion in school.

NONE "I was taught to debate  in secondary school. I took part in debate competitions in Forms 3, 4 and 5."

He said he had represented his school, Sekolah Menengah Sains Kluang, in the Prime Minister's Cup debate championship when he was in Form 5 and was crowned best speaker.

"Coincidentally my first opponent was Idris Ahmad from Kolej Islam Klang. After 27 years, I become Umno information chief and Idris become PAS information chief," he said.

Mazlan had submitted a letter challenging Ahmad to a debate to be held on Friday at Tenang.

When contacted, Mazlan said he still wants an open debate with the deputy minister.

"I want to let the settlers in Felda Tenang, Felda Chemplak and Felda Chemplak Barat follow the debate," he told Malaysiakini in a text message.

"Who says a debate cannot solve problems? Debating is an important platform practised by modern nations. The people can get direct commitment from the government in a debate," said the PAS activist.