Let’s have a debate — Lim Mun Fah

JAN 13 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak has criticised Pakatan Rakyat’s 100-day reform plan as being unrealistic as it does not state the source of funds to finance the plan.

Meanwhile, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has accused the BN government of corruption, extravagance, and incurring increasing debt.

Anwar has also challenged Najib to an open debate on the prime minister’s comment that Pakatan Rakyat’s 100-day reform plan could lead the country to bankruptcy.

It is obvious that such a debate will not materialise as it is not the local political culture to have such high-profile public debates, especially involving the prime minister.

What is certainly to be expected is a public war of words via the mass media involving some party lightweights trying to speak on behalf of their respective leaders.

Although it now seems almost impossible to happen in Malaysia, many people do hope that the day will come when our political leaders will take to stage to publicly debate issues of concern to the people, like what is happening in the US, the UK and even Taiwan.

Such open public televised debates will allow the people the opportunity to gauge, appraise, evaluate and assess the value and quality of the political agenda each side of the political divide has to offer.

If such open debates are possible, it would be interesting, not just to have a Najib-Anwar debate, but also debates between MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has been rebuffed for offering to represent Najib in a debate with Anwar, with many saying he is not qualified for such a high-profile undertaking.

Open debate certainly has a vital role and significance in the political scenario of a democracy. For example, televised open debates during the US presidential elections have been conducted for many years, and serve as a good campaign introduction of the candidates and their policies to the people.

When will Malaysians be able to see a vigorous, transparent and fair debate too, so that everyone can make objective value judgment and decisions on the party and candidate to support.

mysinchew.com