IT will not be an issue for RTM to broadcast the debate between candidates for the Umno president’s post, said Gobind Singh Deo.

The communications and multimedia minister said he will bring up the matter with the national broadcaster should there be a need to do so, after the debate has been confirmed.

“There is no problem if they are going to have the debate. It is up to Khairy (Jamaluddin) or (Ahmad) Zahid (Hamidi) if they want to accept the challenge.

“And if needed, I will bring the matter to RTM’s attention, for (the debate) to be broadcast,” he told reporters at the ministry in Putrajaya today.

In an interview with Awani last night, Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah said he is prepared to have an open debate with Zahid and Khairy, who are gunning for the top post.

He also challenged all candidates in the upcoming party polls to do the same.

Khairy responded by saying he would be happy to debate his two main rivals.

The former youth and sports minister said he is prepared to declare his assets ahead of the party elections.

On Saturday, Tengku Razaleigh, also known as Ku Li, announced his candidacy after having kept party members guessing for weeks.

Less than 24 hours later, Khairy, who had earlier said he would run for a vice-president’s post, announced that he would contest the top post, too, to the surprise of many.

The Umno elections are scheduled for June 30. The four other candidates for the president’s post have yet to be announced. – June 20, 2018.