PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli has challenged cabinet minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz to a debate on the matter of the recent petrol price hike by BN, so the rakyat can “judge his brilliance”.

Rafizi said this in response to being called “stupid” by the tourism and culture minister yesterday over the former’s suggestion that the prime minister, his deputy and cabinet ministers pay for their own petrol to better understand the burden faced by the rakyat.

“Taking into account the statement made by Nazri yesterday, I am willing to debate or face him in a forum to learn from him the reasons BN is burdening the rakyat with the petrol price hike.

“I am sure he can then display his brilliance by coming forward to face me and let the rakyat judge his brilliance,” he said in a statement today.

To Nazri’s counter-suggestion that Pakatan Rakyat-led state governments adopt Rafizi’s proposal instead, the latter said it was “not relevant” for them to do so as the people pay taxes to the federal government and not to the state.

“Even so, I will write officially to the Pakatan menteris besar to propose measures to reduce petrol expenses borne by the rakyat in carrying out their duties,” the Pandan MP said.

Stating he took no offence to Nazri’s insult, Rafizi added that removing petrol privileges from cabinet ministers was one way to save on expenditure of public funds, and would teach ministers to be cautious when carrying out programmes.

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