Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg has rebuffed the challenge for him to debate Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia over the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

"Someone challenged me to a debate, but why should I debate him? It's childish. Paloi! (stupid)" Abang Johari was quoted as saying by Utusan Borneo.

"Sarawak has its pride and its own way of negotiating with the federal government," he said while officiating the Kuching Zone 1 PBB meeting today.

He was also reported as saying that the debate would not solve any demands for Sarawak's rights under MA63.

Pandikar (photo) had previously said that he was "pro-Malaysia" and rubbished claims by Borneo nationalists that East and West Malaysia were meant to be equal territories when the federation was formed. 

However, Abang Johari later said he begged to differ with Pandikar's apparent dismissal of the significance of the MA63 documents.

Pandikar then said he disagreed with the chief minister "100 times" and would be willing to debate him on the matter.