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KUALA LUMPUR – A crowd of around 400 arrived at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (Matic) here for the debate between parliamentary opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Subject to strict security checks, guests comprising government and opposition politicians and fellow party members, academics, journalists and members of the public trickled in from 7pm, finding their seats in the complex’s Tuanku Abdul Razak hall.
Among the faces present include Umno president Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Datuk Seri Noh Omar and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
From the opposition, attendees include PKR’s Fahmi Fadzil, Sivarasa Rasiah and Adam Adli, along with DAP’s secretary-general Anthony Loke, Nga Kor Ming and Young Syefura Othman.
Interestingly, chants of “reformasi” rang loud within the hall during the arrivals of both Najib and Anwar.
Tensions were tangible to the point that the emcee for the night had to remind the crowd that the day’s agenda is for a silent debate, which bars chanting, cheering, and applause.
The debate began just several minutes after 9pm, with the first topic for the night centred on Sapura Energy Bhd. – The Vibes, May 12, 2022.
