Ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is scheduled to attend an event at Padang Rengas in Perak, which is the parliamentary constituency of his staunch critic, Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The former premier's aide confirmed with Malaysiakini that Mahathir would be present at the event on March 25.

Former information minister Zainuddin Maidin had also mentioned the event on Twitter this morning, claiming that Nazri would “flee when the senile old man attacks his area”.

Contacted later, Nazri said he was aware that Mahathir was coming to Padang Rengas.

“That is why I threw him the challenge (to contest in Padang Rengas). I didn't issue the challenge out of nowhere.

“Since he is coming, I welcome him. If he wants, I can put out the red carpet for him also. I am ready to fight him anytime in Padang Rengas,” he told Malaysiakini.

Over the weekend, Mahathir, who is the chairperson of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), threw a counter dare to Nazri to contest against him for the Langkawi parliamentary seat.

This ignited speculation that the 91-year-old former premier would be making a political comeback after stepping down in 2003.

A Facebook page dedicated to supporters of his son and former Kedah menteri besar, Mukhriz Mahathir also claimed that it was a clear sign that Mahathir would return.

The posting also urged Nazri to convince Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to allow him to switch seats in the upcoming national polls.

Nazri, however, said he could not accept Mahathir's challenge because Umno's seat allocation system did not allow him to move from Padang Rengas.

Following this, Zainuddin accused Nazri of being a coward.

In a blog posting later, Mahathir appeared to quash speculation of his return to Parliament, by accusing Nazri of making an empty challenge when knowing that he did not intend to contest in the next general election.

On the same note, he said if Nazri insisted on challenging him, then the minister should agree to an open debate with him on 1MDB, the RM2.6 billion donation to Najib or the RM55 billion loan from China for the East Coast Railway Link project.

The former premier said he was also willing to debate on the BMF scandal, which Najib's supporters have raised to run down Mahathir.