Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin has challenged opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to a debate aired by national television on the government's plan to abolish the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

In a statement today, Hanipa expressed his willingness to debate with Zahid on the controversial law in his official capacity as de facto deputy minister of law.

"I am confident that the media, like RTM and Astro Awani, are prepared to broadcast the debate live on TV if the opposition leader accepts my challenge.

"Among others, the purpose of this debate is to educate the society and to resolve all the confusion raised by the opposition leader on the issue of Sosma," the Sepang MP said.

Hanipa was responding to Zahid who yesterday questioned the motive of the Pakatan Harapan government's plan to abolish the law.

Zahid asked if the abolishment of Sosma would lead to the revival of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which was used in the past to detain dissidents.

Zahid also reminded Harapan that Sosma acted as a measure to help maintain public order and has more safeguards than the ISA that it replaced.