Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said his friendly debate with Dr Mahathir Mohamad was an attempt to encourage a culture of healthy dialogue to the country.

"He's my sifu (teacher), everything I learn, I learn from him. Everything that I do now, I learnt from him.

"So, I believe being a good student of his, whatever I do now is what his desired (from his students)," he told a press conference at Parliament today.

He urged the media to not sensationalise the debate and not portray them as bitter opponents.