Cabinet minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan has challenged Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to file a defamation suit against him.

This is after Lim accused Rahman of "chickening out" of a debate on the Taman Manggis land, on advise of police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

"I have so many scandalous issues to bring to the debate which would (have) seen you turning red.

"So be thankful that the inspector-general of police (IGP) has given you some slack.

"If you think what I exposed about you was a bluff, just sue me for defamation. I will gladly see you in court!" Rahman retorted on Twitter yesterday.

He was responding to Lim, who in a statement earlier yesterday taunted Rahman as having “failed miserably to live up to the expectations of a minister that says what he means and means what he says by chickening out of his own debate”.

The Penang chief minister pointed out that Rahman had been avoiding the debate even before the authorities advised against it, when TV3 first offered to host the debate.

“At that time neither MACC nor the IGP had issued any statements against the debates prejudicing investigations,” said Lim.

He also rubbished the reasons given by the authorities that the debate would be prejudicial to the ongoing investigations, as the media had already been attacking him and making statements about the issue.

'Uncivilised street hustler'

Rahman accused Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, of speaking like an "uncivilised street hustler" for accusing him (Rahman) of cowardice.

Rahman, who is also BN communications strategist, said Lim should have observed decorum as chief minister.

The Taman Manggis debate was supposed to take place last week and telecast live by TV3.

However, TV3 "postponed" it to a yet-to-be-determined date following advice from inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar and the MACC.

The enforcement agencies wanted the debate cancelled, as it could jeopardise ongoing investigations.

Lim is being investigated by the MACC for allegedly receiving kickbacks in the form of discounts on the purchase of a bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn, Penang.

The kickbacks are allegedly for a separate deal on state land at Taman Manggis.

The chief minister has denied this and is cooperating with the investigation.

Rahman earlier said he will acede to police request to provide all evidence to the authorities, so as to not prejudice the probe.

However, he also said he would work with the Penang BN to do more exposes and a roadshow on the issue.

Lim: Won't hide like PM

Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, also took a dig at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for avoiding questions over the 1MDB-linked financial scandals.

“Unlike Rahman, I have never run away and co-operated fully with the authorities because I have nothing to hide. Unlike Najib and the RM50 billion 1MDB scandal and the RM2.6 billion donation scandal, I am willing to face my accusers in an open debate because truth will prevail.

“By chickening out of his own debate challenge, Rahman has proven who is running away from the truth,” Lim added.