PADANG RENGAS: Malaysia is a democratic country and anybody is eligible to contest in any Parliamentary constituency.

In this regard, Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamaed Nazri Abdul Aziz welcomed the opposition including Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) which wanted to contest in his constituency in the 14th general election (GE14).

Nazri, who is also Tourism and Culture Minister, said former Perak executive councillor Datuk Hamidah Osman had expressed interests to stand in Padang Rengas.

“Anybody can contest here including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and I am waiting for the election to be held,” he told reporters after opening the simultaneous annual branch meeting of Padang Rengas UMNO at Lubuk Merbau Dewan Millenium here today.

Nazri was commenting on a talk by Dr Mahathir as PPBM chairman and PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last night in Kota Lama Kiri here on toppling UMNO in Padang Rengas in GE14.

On his debate with Dr Mahathir, Nazri said he would be attending the event on April 7 in Shah Alam, Selangor in defence of UMNO.

“I do not see any obstruction to hold the discourse as it is not infringing the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012,” Nazri said.

The debate between the two leaders was earlier scheduled yesterday at Sultan Azlan Shah Mara Junior Science College in Kuala Kangsar but was cancelled as it did not have police permit.– BERNAMA