Even before a date is set for their debate, BN strategic communication director Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng could not resist trading barbs on Twitter .

Lim had expressed disappointment when Abdul Rahman said he would be going overseas tonight and would return by April 15. He added that the trip was fixed much earlier.

" Huh … Apa ini ? Debate hilang stimlah . I had earlier cut short my overseas trip to China 2 face u in Parliament (Huh… What's this? The debate has lost its steam. I had earlier cut short my overseas trip to China to face you in Parliament," Lim tweeted.

Huh...Apa ini? Debate hilang stimlah. I had earlier cut short my overseas trip to China 2 face u in Parliament https://t.co/DRm37P8IZ6

— Lim Guan Eng (@cmlimguaneng) April 8, 2016

Abdul Rahman however retorted that it was up to the latter if he wanted to "get excited". This was in reference to the word " stim ", which also has a sexual connotation.

" You nak stim ? Up to you! Since you nak stim sangat , I gv u a heads up. I will give you my questions in advance so you can prepare yourself (If you want to get excited, it's up to you! Since you want to get so excited, I’ll give you a head's up. I will give you my questions in advance so you can prepare yourself)," he shot back.

Since you nak stim sangat, I gv u a heads up. I will give you my questions in advance so you can prepare yourself. https://t.co/IJ1cA5m2eC

— Abdul Rahman Dahlan (@mpkotabelud) April 8, 2016

In another tweet, Abdul Rahman claimed that Lim's side did not want the bungalow issue to be included in the debate.

"Hmmmm... Saya baru diberitahu kononnya pihak sebelah sana tidak mahu isu banglo Puan Phang dimasukkan dalam perdebatan. Apa pandangan anda ? [Hmm… I was just told that the other side supposedly does not want Phang (Li Koon's) bungalow issue to be included in the debate]," he said.

The chief minister had come under fire for purchasing a bungalow from businesswoman Phang for RM2.8 million, which is below market price.

Earlier, DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke had said that he was informed by Abdul Rahman’s officer that he would be away until April 18.

"So the debate will not take place within next week, (it'll happen in) at least another week," he told Malaysiakini .

On Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak who said that Radio Televisyen Malaysia ( RTM ) was ready to host the debate, Loke said they would meet up with the minister to discuss further details.

"Yes, RTM has contacted me, they are prepared to hold this (debate). But we have to find out the details, format, and ground rules," he said.

Pointed out that Salleh had said that the debate will be without audience, Loke said they will meet up with Salleh first before they proceed with anything.

Yesterday, Lim said he was prepared to debate the urban well-being, housing, and local government minister over the Taman Manggis land issue, and even wanted the event televised live.

Abdul Rahman, in response, welcomed Lim's preparedness to participate in the debate with him.

Both Abdul Rahman and Lim have been locking horns through the media almost on a daily basis since news of the bungalow surfaced.

The debate then shifted to the Taman Manggis land.