AFTER his debate with DAP leader Lim Kit Siang failed to materialise, former prime minister Najib Razak said he is not thinking about debating anyone else.

But he is open to challenges from others, he said. 

“I have no plans for future debates,” he said, after a meeting with Penang Umno leaders in Seberang Jaya today.

”If there are others who want to challenge me, I will think about it.”

Earlier last week, Lim and Najib had agreed to spar verbally on how Malaysia became a global kleptocracy, a topic suggested by the DAP veteran.

But a day later, Lim had decided not to go ahead with it, saying he had been advised against it because the debate might be turned into a Malay versus Chinese conflict.

Najib said as far as the public is concerned, his side had scored ”a huge moral victory” even though the debate did not proceed.

”Because you (Lim) demanded for and challenged me to a debate but you backed down. It shows that you lack the moral courage to go ahead with it.

“This is a huge moral victory even though the debate did not take place,” he said.

Najib said Lim backing out from the debate also has implications on the DAP veteran leader’s political credibility.

“I think it’s going to leave an indelible impression of him as a political leader on the minds of the people,” the former Umno and Barisan Nasional leader said.

He reiterated that by failing to go through with the debate, Lim has lost the right to attack him.

“Morally speaking, from the political sense, he has lost terribly. He now has no right to reprimand me.

“On principle, you (Lim) have denied yourself of the moral responsibility to attack me in the future.“ – May 26, 2019.