PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli has branded Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin a “coward” for refusing to debate with him on Anwar Ibrahim’s Sodomy II conviction.

The debate challenge need not be discussed any further, Rafizi told a press conference today, since he had shown to the people that Khairy was a “coward”.

“I just wanted to show the public what kind of people are leading Umno nowadays,” he said.

“Khairy is overseas right now, in America, probably debating with some boys there,” Rafizi jibed.

Khairy and Umno Youth had previously organised roadshows to allow Sodomy II lead prosecutor Muhammad Shafee Abdullah ( left ) to brief attendees on the explicit details of the alleged sodomy offence committed by Anwar. Shafee had used the platforms to accuse Anwar, among others, of being a closet homosexual.

Rafizi had previously challenged Khairy to debate on the sodomy conviction after Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said he would prepare a platform for anyone to debate on the matter.

Instead, Bar council chief Christopher Leong was urged to debate on the matter with Shafee.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail sentence in the Sungai Buloh Prison.