Debate Royale: Ball on Najib’s court
Raja Petra Kamarudin is all game for it. Anwar Ibrahim wants to do it with Najib Razak but not Raja Petra – that is until someone proposed a three-way with Najib. As for the Prime Minister – who would be the only person that would determine whether it’s going to happen or not – he’s been dodging and weaving since day one up till now.
Thanks to Raja Petra and WikiLeaks, the challenge to a debate has now got international attention. It was the controversial blogger and the equally controversial whistleblower website that got the ball rolling again after WikiLeaks posted a press release via Twitter Wednesday to formally invited Najib to a debate with Anwar and Raja Petra either together, or in isolation. WikiLeaks said the press release is a response to the recent controversy over Anwar and Raja Petra and following Najib’s slagging of Anwar over the latter’s refusal to accept an invitation debate with the blogger. It also said the proposed debate will be moderated by its founder Julian Assange (pic).
Najib had described Anwar’s refusal to debate with Raja Petra in Kent, England as inconsistent with his actions. He also slammed the Opposition for constantly accusing the government for not being ‘democratic and open’.
Naturally, Anwar (above) was quick to accept WikiLeaks invitation as we all know by that our Opposition leader loves international attention. He said that he has no problem in facing his two adversaries in a debate though he expects Najib to be the one who will be facing problems during the debate if he (Najib) agrees to participate.
“I am fine with anything, it can be held in London, or perhaps we can use video conference. I am open to anything,” said Anwar.
The renewed debate issue has got everyone talking again and the Parliament was abuzz with chin-wags over speculations to whether Najib will take up the challenge or not. Many political leaders, even the ones from Barisan Nasional, are fond of the debate idea.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz (above) told Malaysian Digest that there is nothing wrong in organizing a debate as long as it is beneficial to the country. However, the Padang Rengas MP stressed that if the individuals who wish to debate are more interested in debating about politics then better it is better off for the debate to not be organized at all.
Meanwhile, Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa opines that Najib should accept the invitation from WikiLeaks and use the debate as a medium to reach out to the rakyat.
“The public wants to see the debate between the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the future Prime Minister of Malaysia (Anwar).
“I think Najib should accept the invitation,” Er (pic) told Malaysian Digest at Parliament yesterday.
The DAP leader also hopes that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will take over Najib’s place should the prime minister turn down the debate invitation.
As for Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani (PKR), he said the debate should have not have been organized by an international body such as WikiLeaks.
“The idea of the debate is good. In fact, that is what the rakyat have been longing for the whole time,” Abdullah told Malaysian Digest.
“But i don’t like the idea that the debate will be organized by WikiLeaks. It’s a foreign organization that has not made any contribution towards the country,” Abdullah added.
Abdullah also questioned the significance of Raja Petra in participating in the debate.
“The rakyat wants the opposition leader and the prime minister to share the stage and debate on national interests, something that can benefit the country,” said Abdullah.
“I don’t think the inclusion of Raja Petra will benefit the event. He has not contributed anything to our country,” Abdullah added.
The debate is good to go as far as Anwar and Raja Petra is concerned. On top of that, many political leaders – including those in BN – as well as the rakyat want it to happen. The ball is on Najib’s court and the prime minister is yet to respond to the invitation. Will we be hearing more dodging and excuses or will he finally step to the plate?
