UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi said today it would be an honour for him to engage in a debate with Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the 'Nothing to Hide' forum.

Puad, who is director-general of the Special Affairs Department (JASA), said the forum would be the best platform for him to face the former prime minister to dissect various political and current issues.

"I understand that Tun Dr Mahathir agreed yesterday to debate with anyone at all at the forum. This will be an opportunity for me to meet him at a forum.

"We will not have to trade statements on social media. There are many things that I wish to raise with him (Dr Mahathir)," he said to reporters after a Terengganu JASA Aidilfitri reception here. Also present was Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman.

Puad had stated his readiness to stand in for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the debate with Dr Mahathir at the forum to be organised by the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Armada next month.

-- BERNAMA