Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim made it clear that his debate challenge was to his counterpart in the government, Prime Minister Najib Razak and not to the latter’s underlings, because the issues involved were of great importance and interest to the people.
“Why should I back down? Is there any reason for me to consider doing so? I made a suggestion, you can call it a challenge or a proposal, but that’s it – accept or refuse. Or is Umno now saying I must retract so as to save Najib face,” Anwar told Malaysia Chronicle at the sidelines of a press conference this evening.
“If you want people to judge you as a responsible person who manages the economy, then considering Pakatan Rakyat has an alternative policy, why should you not discuss this openly?”
It's a good idea
Indeed, in typical Umno fashion, members of Najib's party have piled pressure on the Pakatan de-facto head to back off rather than on their own president to accept the debate proposal.
The debate has been sizzling the nation since it was suggested on Tuesday. Public interest even spilled onto Twitter-space although BN law-makers such as Kota Belud MP insisted no one was keen to see Najib and Anwar - the top two politicians in Malaysia - discuss the economy on live TV.
“Everywhere I go, no one interested to talk about debate. Stock market it is! Sizzling hot!” lawmaker Abdul Rahman Dahlan said on his Twitter site.
Yet it was clear Umno is concerned about the negative publicity Najib's refusal will create. This morning, a contingent from the party's Youth wing was packed off to Anwar's headquarters to formally extend an invitation to debate Khairy Jamaluddin, the Youth chief, instead of Najib.
Anwar's call for national discourse and debate on the economy is regarded by Malaysians as a good idea.
Calls are growing for it to happen with many citizens concerned about the ‘hot’ money flooding the country and pushing the local bourse to new historic highs. Inflation is another a major worry after the Najib administration unleashed a series of price hikes on consumer essentials such petrol, sugar and cooking gas.
The more financial-savvy are also worried that Najib was leading the country down the road of financial ruin with his super mega-projects when national debt was already at a record high. For first time in Malaysia’s history and under his watch, national debt has exceeded 50 per cent of the gross national product, spurring a sharp warning from the Auditor General.
Pakatan's Orange Book
Nonetheless in a bid to score political points against his arch rival, Najib last week accused Anwar and Pakatan of being the ones who would bankrupt Malaysia with their 100-days reform plan. His rash rhetoric sparked the challenge from Anwar to “let the people decide”.
Pakatan will also be launching its Orange Book or “buku jingga” which underlines the 10 key reforms it plans to implement within 100 days of wresting control of the federal government from Najib’s BN.
“I have just left PAS HQ after Pakatan Leadership Council meeting. Many issues were discussed. Paklatan’s policy document (Buku Jingga) is making waves,” said Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong on his Twitter site.
Earlier at the press conference, Anwar confirmed that the Pakatan Leadership Council had endorsed his invitation to Najib to an open debate. He said they were willing to accept reasonable conditions from the PM's side, and also turned down the offer from Khairy.
“Khairy is trying to save the PM but the challenge is to the PM. The allegations and the condemnation are by the PM who is the Finance Minister and so we would like to have a direct response from him. This is the decision by the PR leadership council,” said Anwar.
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