KUALA LUMPUR – The highly-anticipated debate between PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Umno’s Datuk Seri Najib Razak finally has a date – it will be held on May 12 and will be aired live for the public.
Apart from focusing on financially troubled oil and gas company Sapura Energy Bhd, the debate will also cover topics concerning the rakyat, including issues of the economy and politics.
This was confirmed by the event’s coordinators, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil and Barisan Nasional information chief Isham Jalil, in a joint statement today.
According to the pair, a physical audience at the programme will be limited, but the public will be able to watch through selected media channels which will be announced soon.
They explained that the debate will consist of three main segments, the first focusing on the issues faced by Sapura Energy and whether it needs to be saved by the government.
The second segment will focus on “The Future of Malaysia”, covering aspects of the economy, politics, governance and the country’s direction, while the third and final segment will be for questions and answers.
“We believe this event will provide the opportunity to Malaysians to judge and celebrate the differing ideas, arguments and opinions, in a peaceful atmosphere which reflects a more matured political culture,” they said in the joint statement today.
The 9pm debate between the two top party leaders will take place at the Dewan Tunku Canselor at Universiti Malaya.
Anwar is presently parliamentary opposition leader and Pakatan Harapan chairman while Najib is a former prime minister and Umno president.
The debate idea was initially mooted by PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli who had challenged Najib to a discourse over the embattled, public-listed company Sapura Energy, which has large financial backing from state-owned Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNB).
Sapura Energy’s financial woes recently came under the spotlight, with the firm’s requirement for further financial aid raising questions on whether PNB, which is also in charge of funds like Amanah Saham Bumiputera, would have to pump in further funds.
Najib subsequently said he was prepared to accept the debate challenge by Rafizi on the condition that Anwar should also be part of it, which the latter agreed to. – The Vibes, April 17, 2022
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