KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has challenged Bukit Gelugor member of Parliament Ramkarpal Singh and other of his 'haters' to a televised open debate on the RM42 million SRC International case.
In a statement posted by the administrator of his official Facebook page today, the incarcerated former prime minister also issued the same challenge to his 'recent haters', including senior DAP leader Tony Pua and former Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), in the event Ramkarpal is not keen to take part in the debate.
"Our officers will reach out to you for suitable dates and venue if any of you agrees," read the social media posting.
In the same posting, Najib defended the decision made by the Pardons Board on Friday when he stated the public either do not understand the facts or has not been following his case related to SRC International.
"It also does not help that MPs such as Ramkarpal have neglected to mention or address the many irregularities that have led to the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak and head of the SRC case review panel concluding that a great injustice has fallen on Najib and the correct decision is to acquit and release him.
"Now that the case has come to an end and there is no longer any danger of subjudice or contempt of court to discuss the case publicly, it is now time for an open forum be held to better inform the public and to help them draw their own conclusions based on facts instead of misinformation." he said.
The Federal Territories Pardons Board on Friday had reduced Najib's fine to RM50 million from RM210 million as well as halved his 12-year jail term to six.
The decision, however, did not go down well with several Umno leaders, who felt that the former Pekan member of Parliament should be granted a full pardon.
Umno Supreme Council, in a statement yesterday, said that the party would continue efforts to obtain "justice" for Najib.