[UPDATED] Win or lose? Immaterial, Anwar says as he champions more unfettered public debates

KUALA LUMPUR – Describing open live debates as a hallmark of a modern democracy, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it is an “opportunity for leaders to lay out issues and suggestions to allow the people to decide who has better solutions”.

He told The Vibes that future debates should not come with conditions or off-limit subjects as last night’s clash with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak saw “taboo” subjects such as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal and other ongoing court cases.

“If we did not agree to those conditions, the debate would not have taken place. Which was why I had to agree, otherwise the debate would not have happened.

“For meaningful debates to take place in the future, such conditions should be done away with.”

Still, Anwar said debates are “not about who was the better debater or who won the night but one that laid out issues plaguing the country for a long time”.

“The debate and discourse should continue among the people as they are more aware of some of the issues and can come up with suggestions for solutions of their own. After all, healthy discussions should be encouraged for a more informed and proactive society.”

However, he said he was disappointed that last night’s debate was not held at Universiti Malaya.

“I am disappointed that Universiti Malaya, my alma mater, did not think it suitable to have the debate there. UM used to lead as an institution for open discourse and gatherings, from the speaker’s corner to student activism.

“Nevertheless, I hope this is not the last time political leaders are given a platform to debate each other on issues that concern the rakyat.”

Previously, student activist Fahmi Zainol alleged that the student union faced roadblocks in its attempt to host the debate.

Meanwhile, Najib shared that he did not have a good night’s sleep for a week leading up to last night’s debate, but did his best and saw it as a victory for Umno.

After the clash with Anwar ended, he was speaking to more than 300 supporters who were part of a viewing party at the Umno headquarters here after being greeted with chants of “Hidup Bossku”. 

“I have tried my best as I represent Umno. We are on the right track and our ideas are more thoughtful than the other side. We have the right philosophy for the people.”

He also took a swipe at Anwar over repeated comments on “forensic audits”, saying it was not a great idea to champion “forensic” while Najib champions the people.

Accompanying him at Menara Dato Onn here were Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

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

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, 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.

Among the highlights of the occasion was Anwar shooting down Najib’s proposal for national oil company Petronas to buy over Sapura Energy, instead insisting on forensic audits and greater scrutiny of the financially distressed firm.

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

Additional reporting by Fitri Nizam