“Wait until April 7 to know if I’m really mute or not.”

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said this in response to remarks made by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) advisor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday.

He vehemently denied Dr Mahathir’s allegation that he kept mum during their chance meeting at a cendol stall in Kuala Kangsar.

“During the cendol meeting, he (Dr Mahathir) didn’t ask any question, so I just kept quite because the event was organised by them.

“I didn’t say anything then not because I was afraid. I was in fact told that there wasn’t going to be any speeches (during the meeting) and it was supposed to be just a casual meeting,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nazri expressed hope that the debate with Dr Mahathir on April 7 will continue as scheduled.

“There is no reason for the police not to allow the debate. So if you want to know if I’m mute or not, wait until April 7,” he added.

Nazri earlier open the UMNO Padang Rengas Division Branch meeting at the Dewan Millenium Lubok Merbau today.

The Padang Rengas MP also brushed off Dr Mahathir’s statement about his inability to develop his constituency.

“I will bring development according to the needs which would take into consideration the background of this area.

“This is a just small town, why would we build a 30-storey building for. That’s crazy and I’m not crazy. But if I am, I might have done that," he said.