PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli is not slighted for being called a 'sotong masak tepung' or fried squid, a dish for which he possesses a gastronomic fondness.

However, the Pandan MP wrapped his tentacles around Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for contracting substandard portals, such as MyKMU.net, which made the unflattering description, to tackle pertinent issues.

"I don't take offence. I like fried squid and it is quite popular in Terengganu (his home state). In fact, it is a sign that they are now on the defensive.

"Every time Umno cannot face the public or have difficulty answering critics, they will resort to name calling and derogatory remarks," Rafizi told Malaysiakini .

However, he said, roping in a 'low class' portal to answer an issue of utmost public importance is a reflection of Najib.

"It shows both his (Najib's) arrogance (as he doesn't feel it is important enough for him to answer) and helplessness (he doesn't have anything smart to say to defend 1MDB).

"While the name-calling may satisfy a very small quarter within Umno, the rest of Malaysia will grow more anxious at the continuous attempts to hide 1MDB from the public scrutiny," he added.

Rafizi said it is precisely because of this that he is glad 1MDB president and executive director Arul Kanda Kandasamy had agreed to an unconditional debate.

"At least we will have some intelligent answers, instead of calling opponents sotong masak tepung .

"The onus is still on Najib and Arul Kanda to clarify on 1MDB. If Arul Kanda insists on running away and hiding behind an incorrect interpretation of the speaker's ruling, the public will not have nice things to say about him.

"So I am still hopeful that Umno will instruct Arul Kanda to proceed with the debate," Rafizi added.

MyKMU.net launched the cephalopod tirade after Rafizi was named as the replacement for DAP lawmaker Tony Pua for the debate with the 1MDB president.

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