In his first statement after being sworn in as a minister this evening, P Waythamoorthy shot down the proposal for a debate between Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy and Muslim preacher Zakir Naik.

Departing from his previous image as a firebrand whom critics accused of being an extremist and a threat to national security, the Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia leader cut a picture of composure and reason when addressing reporters at the Istana Negara.