Haris to apply for new permit for Mukhriz debate
ALOR STAR: Undeterred by the police’s decision to turn down his permit application to debate Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir on Saturday, Pokok Sena Umno vicechief Haris Che Mat said he would apply again for a permit to hold the debate on April 27.
Haris yesterday said he respected Kubang Pasu police’s decision to reject his application to hold the debate at Dewan Sera Sentosa in Jerlun following objections from locals who were concerned about their safety.
He said he would submit a new application for the debate to be held on April 27, as requested by Mukhriz.
Haris had, on March 27, challenged Mukhriz to a debate for the latter to answer allegations on how he and his brothers had amassed wealth in a short time.
Haris, who was Mukhriz’s special officer when the latter was Kedah menteri besar, said he wanted to debate his former boss on the wealth that he and his siblings allegedly amassed.
“Mukhriz can ask questions about my siblings and me, but I wish to inform him that Riza Aziz is not my former employer, and neither is he my stepbrother. This has nothing to do with the challenge I mentioned on March 23.”
He was responding to Mukhriz’s statement earlier that he wished to question Haris on the wealth of Riza Aziz, the stepson of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“I hope Mukhriz won’t panic about the debate. Many people want to know how Dr Mahathir’s sons became so rich.”
Haris said even opposition leaders, including Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, had raised the same question before.
It was reported that Kubang Pasu police turned down Haris’s application to hold the debate in Jerlun as the permit was submitted less than 10 days from the event.