Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to having his debate with Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz postponed to April 7 and to be held in Shah Alam.

"Confirmed. He will attend the debate on the same issues as stated before," Mahathir's lawyer Haniff Khatri Abdulla told Malaysiakini.

“It is hoped the government does not come up with some other gymnastics to have this adjourned debate to be derailed again,” Haniff added.

He said the government should be brave enough and not disallow Nazri from taking part in the debate.

In recent weeks, Mahathir and Nazri have been engaged in a series of exchanges on government policies and the controversial RM2.6 billion "donation" received by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Nazri said he wanted to use the debate as a platform to respond to Mahathir's "lies" on the government.

The debate was initially scheduled for this Saturday at Padang Rengas, Nazri's home turf in Perak, but it was barred by the police.

Malay daily Sinar Harian, the organiser of the debate, then rescheduled the debate and will use its headquarters in Shah Alam as the venue.