1MDB boss Arul Kanda Kandasamy should not hide behind Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia if he wants to avoid debating Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, said a DAP lawmaker.

Seremban MP Anthony Loke said if Arul Kanda was 'chicken', he should just say so.

"If he's trying to chicken out or avoid (the debate), say so. Don't make up excuses.

"The speaker said very clearly yesterday that the debate between a PAC member and Arul Kanda can't take place.

"But if it's between another MP and Arul Kanda it's fine'; he (Pandikar) can't stop it," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Rafizi today was named as Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua's replacement in the proposed debate against the 1MDB boss.

Arul Kanda, however, has refused to debate Rafizi citing Pandikar who said that the contest should be held only after the PAC probe is completed.

He also referred to Pandikar's ruling on Tuesday that he (Arul Kanda) could not testify before the PAC if he debated Pua.

Loke argued that Pandikar's ruling yesterday were only applicable if the 1MDB boss took on the Petaling Jaya Utara MP.

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