The opposition proposal for a debate between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will not benefit the people in any way, said an Umno divisional leader.

      

Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee said he feared that the proposal for the debate on national economic issues could just be a political ploy of the opposition.

He claimed that Anwar, the MP for Permatang Pauh, was not an economic expert.

Anwar may want to divert public attention from the criticism he is getting over his remarks about the Jewish regime, he said.

PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar had suggested that the prime minister debate with Anwar on national issues, particularly those related to the economy.

Commenting on last Saturday's debate between MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, he said it was merely part of the political campaign and not a gauge of the people’s support for either political party.

- Bernama