Anwar-Najib debate: lawmakers, audience split over who won

KUALA LUMPUR – As opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak argued on economic policies in last night’s televised debate, lawmakers and audience members at the venue have contradictory views over who had the upper hand.

For lawyer and Penangite Yusmadi, 48, Anwar appeared to be more in touch with the problems endured by the laymen, while Najib projected an elitist and corporate friendly image.

He added that Anwar appeared more coherent and in doing so was able to identify pertinent problems afflicting the man on the street.

“Najib was coming from a very pro-corporate perspective, while Anwar included the marginalised, those at a disadvantage and the vulnerable, who are supposed to be given highest priority in terms of help needed.

“On that note, I think Anwar managed to get the priorities right, because at this juncture we are talking about the weak and not the elite,” he told The Vibes last night.

He also said Najib appeared too idealistic with his suggestions on ways to improve the standard of living of most Malaysians.

“The difference between Anwar and Najib is that Najib is talking about helping without accountability, while Anwar is talking about integrity, ethics and governance. For Najib it’s helping devoid of governance with ethics and integrity.”

Johorean Navin, 28, who is also a lawyer, saw it differently, saying it was Najib who offered more solutions on improving the economy, and Anwar fell short.

“Najib has better ideas of having a fast economic structure with stable politics, meanwhile I cannot really say what economic mindset Anwar is coming from.’

However, Navin agreed such debates should be the new norm in local politics, allowing politicians to address matters relatable to the masses in an accessible manner.

“It’s a very good start for Malaysian politics and I will just congratulate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Najib Razak for coming out and speaking on topics representing two different sides.”

Business owner Shanisha, 25, felt that Anwar spoke on a wide range of issues, including wildlife and artificial intelligence while Najib stuck to a handful of topics that felt more immediate.

Last night, some 400 were at the Malaysia Tourism Centre here from 7pm, including government and opposition lawmakers, party members, academics, journalists and members of the public.

Interestingly, chants of “reformasi” rang loud within the hall during the arrivals of 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.

For the most part of the 90-minute event, PKR president Anwar highlighted root causes and the need for transparency and more accountability while Najib attempted to table solutions to the country’s economic woes.

And although the troubled oil and gas company Sapura Energy took centre stage in the first segment of the debate, much of the debate was on the country’s post-Covid-19 recovery, good governance, and nation-building.

What do their party colleagues have to say?

PKR’s Sg Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah said he found Anwar more convincing in his answers, while Najib appeared repetitive and incoherent.

“Najib appeared like he was just trying to justify replies, after which his contradictions and inconsistencies became obvious,” he told The Vibes.

The lawmakers, however, were on the same page that such debates where politicians are candid with their responses on topics of public interest is a culture that should be encouraged. 

“Such debates are a good practice,” Sivarasah said.

For Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, both debaters shared similar ideals on how Malaysia should move forward as a country but only differed in their views on ways to implement their suggestions.

“I see it as part of the political maturing process, and such intellectual forums should be held more often.

“But I think that if a combination of their ideas can be accepted in the form of implementing them as national policy, I think questions over petty topics that have been haunting the thoughts of the people of late, will not be an issue in the future,” he said without elaborating.

His Umno colleague Tan Sri Noh Omar, however, said Najib presented arguments based on steps to improve the plight of the people, and Anwar harped on issues he previously highlighted many times before, like eradicating corruption and upholding integrity.

“For example, when debating issues about Sapura Energy, Najib suggested for Petronas to rescue the entity, while Anwar was going on about taking action against those responsible for the company’s situation.

“If the company has gone under, what action is there to be taken?”

Meanwhile, political analysts said the debate did not result in a “clear winner” but has chartered a course for the political direction of the next general election and has some influence on voter sentiment.

The debate comes following weeks of taunts and online verbal disputes, initially between Najib and PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, centred around the struggles and financial woes of Sapura Energy.

The exchange triggered a challenge from Rafizi to debate the topic publicly, to which Najib agreed, on the condition that Anwar was made part of the debate. – The Vibes, May 13, 2022