Debate – ‘Najib won’t have the guts’
A PAS leader says the prime minister is not fond of taking risks, and prefers to let others clear the path before making a ‘gallant’ entry.
(Free Malaysia Today) – In the absence of his retinue of advisers and strategists to provide him with fodder, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will lack the courage to lock horns with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim in a live debate.
The Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president, according to PAS Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad, was a “risk adverse person” who would not dare go to the forefront for a debate.
“I know personally that Najib is such a person. He would make sure his path is cleared by others first… only then would he make a ‘gallant’ appearance,” he told FMT.
Dzulkefly was commenting on the invitation by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for Najib, Anwar, and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin to debate together “or in isolation” on Wednesday.
Anwar, who had been taunting Najib for a verbal duel for months, accepted Assange’s offer; while Raja Petra asked if both his opponents would agree to debate on the subject of Islam.
Politicians and observers FMT spoke to agreed that a Najib-Anwar debate was what everyone wanted, while Raja Petra could spice things up.
But one analyst questioned the need for a foreign entity like WikiLeaks to host it when it could be done so by local NGOs.
Such a high profile debate, said Dzulkefly, was what the electorate from all sections of society were waiting to see, though it would be “daunting” for someone like Najib, who had a lot of baggage to hide.
“Frankly, I don’t think the debate would happen. Until and unless you are really very sure you can handle questions in real time, not having to refer and resort to advisers and consultants for opinions and whatever, Najib would not dare do it,” he added.
Dzulkefly said he would like to see three wide topics being discussed, namely economic woes; the general political leadership; and the issue of race and religion.
On Raja Petra’s suggestion to debate about Islam, he said that though PAS looked at Islam from every viewpoint, it was not as essential an issue as compared to governance.
The PAS leader admitted that Anwar had the upper hand as he could be on the constant attack because he was in the opposition and need not be accountable.
“The pressure is on Najib. The more Najib is reluctant to engage, the more he is losing support and approval,” he said.
Khir: Debate needs substance
Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said that he was all for a public debate between the two national top guns but cautioned on the topic of the debate.
“I think the debate culture is healthy, but we need to see the purpose behind the debate. If the purpose is to demonise certain people, then no. But if it is to explain our ideas, on what is going to happen to the country. Then any leader, even a prime minister, should do it.
“Malaysians in general, are looking for a ‘new formula’, how to stave off the threatening global economy, cope with the rising of cost of living, and how to deal with the gap between our income and cost of living becoming bigger and bigger,” he added.
Khir said leaders should “forget what happened in the past” and look forward to the nation’s challenges, which was far more important.
“A debate shouldn’t be about embarassing each other, Malaysians are tired of attacks without new ideas, that’s what I see when I meet local leaders on the ground.
“The topic now should be: how do we save our future? The topic can’t be too wide,” he said, pointing out that Najib himself said that he would debate if it was for the betterment of the country.
“You can’t just say, I am (going to be) the prime minister I would bring down oil prices to RM1, but you must also explain what you mean, how you are going to do it. You can’t bluff the rakyat,” he added, taking a swipe at Anwar.
‘Give it serious thought, Najib’
Meanwhile, former Transparency-International Malaysia president Ramon Navaratnam appealed to Najib to give “serious thought” about debating with Anwar and Raja Petra.
“I would appeal to him to give it very serious thought, this is an opportunity for the people to understand his thoughts better. Some things would come out more clearly in a debate rather than just statements and public announcements,” he said.
Ramon said that debates would spur greater transparency and integrity in a democratic system.
“It’s a very good move, to have an open debate at the highest level. Particularly between the PM and leader of the opposition, it would enlighten the public and electorate particularly of the issues that are not discussed in the main media,” added the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) director.
He said that it would promote greater freedom of speech and a wider exposure to the public of the issues at hand, particularly since the general election was close.
“Too many of these important issues have been raised by bloggers like Raja Petra, but have not gotten satisfactory response from the government and even the opposition because the opposition is not fully aware of all the information in the government.
“Hence, allegations of scandals keep arising and the people feel disappointed and depressed that the clarification have not been seen to be fair, reasonable and clear. So, I would appeal to all concerned
to participate in this debate. In fact to have a whole series of discussions that would help to bring about a better understanding of our democratic prosess, illuminate the dark corners of ignorance on the issues of the day,” he added.
Ramon said he would also like to see less “politicking and character assassination which seem to take precedence over the more important debate on national issues.”
He said ASLI would gladly host a debate if requested.
“Why not? If not ASLI, then another group. The means is not important, but the end. It’s fine whoever initiates it, even universities. I am sure even the government can organise it. The point is can we have discussions, that is open, free and fair? We are seeking the truth,” he added.
