UM students union offers to host Najib-Anwar debate on Sapura
The Universiti Malaya Students Union (UMSU) is offering to host the debate between PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak regarding Sapura Energy.
The union said it would be a perfect fit to organise the debate as it was a neutral body.
"As a student association that welcomes...
The Universiti Malaya Students Union (UMSU) is offering to host the debate between PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak regarding Sapura Energy.
The union said it would be a perfect fit to organise the debate as it was a neutral body.
"As a student association that welcomes academic discussion, we would like to offer our help in organising the debate session for both political figures.
“The union believes that we are best suited to organising the debate session since UMSU has a neutral stance. Hence, this will ensure transparency and give confidence to the public," it said in a statement today.
Najib had challenged Anwar to a debate in response to a similar challenge from PKR's Rafizi Ramli.
The Pekan MP had offered to take on either both of them or with Rafizi acting as Anwar's adviser.
Anwar accepted the challenge yesterday and said his stand remains unchanged since he first challenged Najib to a debate on the economy over a decade ago, which ultimately did not happen.
Najib wants the debate to be broadcast live, and several media agencies are reportedly in talks to host the event.
In a statement later, Anwar said he had asked Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil to liaise with Najib’s office and set the time and date for the debate.
“He has also been asked to discuss with the media regarding the coverage and hosting of the debate, which I believe should be aired widely,” he said.
PNB’s stake in Sapura Energy
Sapura Energy is a public-listed company but has received large investments from state-owned Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), which is in charge of funds such as Amanah Saham Bumiputera and Amanah Saham Malaysia.
PNB holds a 40 percent stake in Sapura Energy, which had increased from slightly more than 10 percent in 2018 as it continued to pump money into the firm facing financial challenges.
However, Sapura Energy has recently required further financial help, raising questions if PNB will have to pump further funds to get the firm out of its financial woes.
Najib has proposed a government bailout for Sapura, while Rafizi said the company's new management can sort things out for themselves.
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