Last night, i would call the historic debate event a success. I still hope to see more debates like this televised for public, on other issues or topics. A mature democratic society should encourage more debates or forum or discussion on various issues. Suppressing dissent views is a tactic used in the past that proves unsuccessful in the new era of e-generation. It is a good sign that the government step up to face the public for the first time to debate on policy that affects/rocks the whole nation.
This kind of debate should be held especially just before General Election, so that the voters could compare different policies and visions of one party, and get educated in the intellectual process. Thus, they are able to make their informed decision. This is what i called Democracy in action when the people is exposed to all the information concerned them.
From the beginning to the end, i'm more convinced by Anwar. Put aside my affiliation with PKR, the party which i support (for what it worths of the policies they proposed and endorsed) and my personal admiration for Anwar's oratory, on the technical ground of debating, my verdict would be Anwar 8 - Shabery 5 (on the scale of 10). In my opinion, Anwar did successfully make his stand clear and plausible. The argument that if he forms the government tomorrow, he will slash the price of fuel 50 sen, and he is able to show where the money will be coming from, to sustain the amount of subsidies he proposed. This almost goes unchallenged by the opponent who went around to do personal attack, rather hit on the topic or engage with the new policy Anwar stands for. This is kinda regret for me. As a government Minister, he seems like having less statistics, figures and facts to back his argument up, than the former Finance Minister. He drew up his points mostly figuratively and lack of depth in his analysis of the fuel hike issue. His economics sense is quite poor, and that is the major flaw to let the more experienced person Anwar to get the upperhand on few of the crucial arguments on the impact of Fuel hike costs to the national economics growth and inflation.
On the contrary to his recent fiery speeches in many ceramahs, yesterday he acted very gentlemen, and statesman-like. His objective and message are rather clear, speaking with confidence and knowledge -- giving me the impression that 'I know how to run this country's economics, if you are incompetent or ignorant, please don't stand in my way and get me the hot seat now-- i will prove to you that i can do it'!
that's why if Finance minister (our PM Pak Lah) or at least Finance second minister come on stage to challenge, Anwar will not get away with that so easily. I think he made a very good preventive stand to state that he will only reduce 50 sen, within his undoubted ability limit. Although this implies that he did not intend to fulfill his pledge in the last General Election (this is the only qualm i had about him tonight, slightly disappointed), it is still true that he will and he could bring down the fuel price to the extent he said. It says a lot about Anwar, that he is a realistic and practical politician. He could come clean on what he really believe, but himself is a great political tactician. This kind of politician is most likely to succeed, survive and revive.
Funny enough, Shabery still accused Anwar of taking Petronas coffer money out to subsidise the people, i think he really did not pay attention to Anwar's speech just before him. Anwar stated clearly that he wants Petronas to reinvest their small part of interest for the benefits of the GLC. He defended Petronas but just criticized BN government for mishandling the economics. The accusations Shabery threw at Anwar lie bare, and makes it more obvious that Shabery might have prepared/rehearsed his arguments. Perhaps he could not change at that time being, it is out of his expectation that Anwar cleverly shifted the goal post and avoided embroiled in the obvious argument trap.
Overall, even though i did not see face to face with many points raised by Shabery, i still grant a pass for him as a government representative. He has expressed out very much the government wants him to bring out, and considers him has done the job well to impress the boss (while making Anwar appears 'ugly' with all those personal attacks). I am quite satisfy with the debate yesterday night. =)
The TV live debate was broadcast for the first time in Malaysia history. I am very pleased to watch it online after my work. It's nostalgic -- it reminds me of the good old days of debating during my secondary school and college years. At the same time, i learned that Sunway University College has sent their chinese debate team for Intervarsity Chinese Debate (Quan Bian) this year, and UPM had performed quite well in the recent Asian Pacific intervarsity chinese debate. All these events suddenly making me attached to debating once again.
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