A pro-Umno portal has criticised the move to replace DAP lawmaker Tony Pua with PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli for the debate with 1MDB president Arul Kanda Kandasamy.
MyKMU.Net said this proved that the "Chinese in DAP" are cowards.
The portal, which is a staunch defender of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, also described Rafizi as a 'sotong masak tepung' (squid cooked with flour batter).
"The person who hurled the most slander against 1MDB is Pua, the person who met (Xavier) Justo (former Petro Saudi executive charged with blackmail) is Pua, the person who worked with (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad and so forth is Pua.
"But when it comes to a debate, he is replaced with Rafizi. What does this 'sotong botak' (bald squid) know..."
Yesterday, Rafizi had said he was not looking forward to debating with Arul Kanda and quipped that two bald men on television would not be a pleasing spectacle.
Continuing its tirade, MyKMU.Net said when the DAP Chinese become fearful, a Malay from PKR replaces them.
In an earlier posting, the portal said apart from Pua, two others qualified to debate Arul Kanda are Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin.
MyKMU.Net said the former prime minister and axed deputy prime minister have consistently hurled allegations at the state-owned firm.
"Of course, Mahathir is the ideal candidate to replace Pua since he has penned all sorts of allegations against 1MDB in his blog.
"Is Mahathir willing to step forward to save the pride of Pua as a show of solidarity among the group of anti-1MDB politicians?"
The portal also criticised Pua for appearing to avoid the debate despite making the challenge.
"When Arul agreed to the debate on the condition that Pua resigns as a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member, DAP screamed that it was unfair.
"When Arul said he was willing to debate even if Pua does not quit PAC, Pua set a new condition that only he can ask questions.
"Why is Pua so afraid if he truly has all the evidence of financial misdeeds in 1MDB?"
MyKMU.Net claimed that following public perception that Pua is a coward, Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia stepped in to save the DAP lawmaker from further embarrassment.
The portal said Pua had made the challenge because he expected 1MDB to ignore it.
The DAP lawmaker, it added, was hoping to become a hero in the event Arul Kanda rejected the debate challenge.
MyKMU.Net also called on Arul Kanda not to waste his time debating with other politicians who have no knowledge about the issue.
Related reports
Rafizi replaces Pua in 1MDB debate with Arul
'Sotong masak tepung' replaces 'DAP Chinese coward'
Arul: I respect Rafizi, but speaker has last say
Allow Rafizi-Arul 1MDB debate, urges Umno minister
Rafizi to hound Arul Kanda until he accepts debate
