Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian TV is to broadcast Tuesday an unprecedented live TV debate between opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and the country's information minister, focusing on the government's recent fuel price hikes. 

Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek will take on Anwar, who is known for his charismatic speeches and oratory skills, and attempt to explain the government's unpopular move to raise fuel prices by a whopping 40 per cent last month. 

"If the information minister cannot explain the government's policies, who else?" Ahmad Shabery said. 

The planned debate, to be telecast live on local and cable television networks, is expected to deal with the government's handling of the current economy. 

Anwar alleged the government is misusing the nation's funds, and claimed that his three-party opposition alliance could make fuel prices drop with a day of taking over the government. 

He said he wanted to debate with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi or his deputy, but would settle for Ahmad Shabery. 

Kuala Lumpur police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman said police would be present at the venue to monitor the situation and ensure no fights broke out between party supporters. 

"We are making preparations to face any eventuality," he was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency. 

Non-governmental organizations and rights groups welcomed the debate, saying the public would be able to view the different positions held by government and opposition. 

Ahmad Shabery, who put his job on the line by participating in the debate, said the event would hopefully set a "trend" in the country's politics. 

"I've told the prime minister that if I fail to explain the issue, I will leave it to him to find a new information minister," he said. 

"If we have differences in opinion, we debate," he added. "This is better than organising demonstrations, disturbing public order." 

The government said the price increases were inevitable to offset the massive subsidies that kept fuel prices low for decades. (dpa)