In what is shaping up to be a major political event, at least four of the six candidates vying for the three posts of Umno vice-president have agreed to take part in the country's first publicly-televised debate.

azlan Over the last two days, they have been reported by Malay language newspapers to be in favour of the idea mooted by Umno veteran Musa Hitam over the weekend.

Berita Harian

today reported that one of the three incumbent VPs, Mohd Shafie Apdal, has agreed to the debate, together with two other contestants, Senator Mohd Ali Rustam and Felda chairperson Isa Samad.

A third candidate, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir, has already embraced the idea.

This leaves the Hishammuddin Hussein who rejected the idea of a debate, saying it was not of interest to the whole world, or even all Umno members, and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who has not said 'yes' or 'no' to it.

On the debate, which Multimedia and Communications Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek has agreed to organise, Berita Harian quoted the VP candidates as saying:

Shafie Apdal: "I recommend that the (debate) session be also open to the leaders of the party's three wings."

Mohd Ali Rustam: "I don't have a problem because before this I have also been invited to a TV programme to discuss the party elections."

Isa Samad: "The most important condition to emphasise is that each candidate must debate in a brethren spirit."