Debate Between Lim Guan Eng And Koh Tsu Koon

There are three conditions to participate in a debate:

Firstly, do your homework. Secondly, do it properly. Thirdly, fine tune it to do it very properly. This is my conclusion after being a debate judge for many years.

After watching the debate between Lim Guan Eng and Dr Koh Tsu Koon, I would like to add one more condition: Fourthly, do not be opportunistic.

The current and former Penang Chief Ministers debated on “The True Story Behind the Land Controversy in Penang” Wednesday (20 Aug).

Lim has fulfilled the first, second and third conditions. As for Dr Koh, he was like a boxer on an arena who was unable to get rid of his opponent, making only circuitous steps or infighting. Inevitably, he received many punches in return.

Speaking in fluent Malay and political language did not help Dr Koh free himself from the embarrassing situation.

Lim's opening remarks brought up land scandals during the BN government’s era which included the RM40 million botched land deal. On the other hand, Dr Koh's opening remarks accused Lim of having the mentality of the Opposition even when he has become the Chief Minister. He criticised Lim for not looking forward but still harping on the former government.

It sounded familiar. It was similar to former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo's response to the accusations hurled against him.

Oh, please don't reduce your standard to Dr Khir's.

If the former government has done nothing wrong, it will have nothing to worry about. But it would be the current government's fault if it turns a blind eye to the former government's scandals.

The debaters then slowed down the tempo by spending half of the debate time on the RM40 million botched land deal issue.

When Lim brought up other cases, Dr Koh replied that the cases made up of just a very little part of the total cases. He said that the former government's performance was already 99.9%.

Oops, such avoidance has left his opponent open to the opportunity for attack. Just as expected, Lim replied that it was worrying enough that the 1% botched cases being exposed has already caused the state government and its people to suffer a great loss. He was afraid that more cases were yet to be exposed.

Dr Koh did not reply Lim's question as to whether the government was creating an opportunity for Umno's members to line their own purses.

It would be hard for the audience not to imagine that Dr Koh was avoiding the questions or “protecting” some people.

Lim has shown the people the DAP's achievements and political ideology during this debate. Meanwhile, Dr Koh has won some points for his courage to take on the challenge of participating in the open debate.

(By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
MySinchew
2008.08.21