In an eleventh hour decision, the police agreed to allow a debate between Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz and Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang on the Internal Security Act (ISA) tonight. But the much anticipated event will not take place.

This is because Nazri, who was under the impression that the event had been called off , had agreed to another appointment.

Malaysiakini learnt that the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters gave the green light for the debate at about noon today.

Contacted later, Dang Wangi police chief Hadi Ho Abdullah said a new application for a permit has to be filed if the organising committee planned to hold the debate on another date.

"We can't promise to give them the permit. We have to see what is in the fresh application. Maybe it is the same thing (as the previous application), maybe it is not. We will do the proper consideration," he added when contacted.

DAP Youth deputy secretary Kuan Perk Siong, who is part of the organising committee, said they were looking at the possibility of holding the debate on July 26.

"We have given Nazri from July 26-30. Once he confirms (the date) with us then we will go ahead and submit an application," he added when contacted.

The police had previously rejected the permit on security grounds, forcing the parties concerned to file an appeal. The debate was scheduled to be held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur.

'Definitely on'

Met at the Parliament lobby earlier, Nari said he had no idea why the police refused earlier to grant a permit.

The minister, who oversees parliamentary affairs, said he will discuss with Lim on a new date for the debate.

"The debate is definitely on," stressed Nazri, who agreed to the debate following an invitation by the opposition leader in the last parliamentary session.

The ISA, which was originally drafted to battle the communist insurgency, later earned notoriety when it was used to crackdown on opposition leaders and activists.

Detainees are held for a period of two years without trial on the orders of the home minister, which upon expiry can be extended indefinitely.