Other Voices on the Fuel Duel Debate

Other Voices on the Fuel Duel Debate

(Coordinated by Editor, CPI)

July 16, 2008

Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, Centre for Policy Initiatives

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emerged as the clear winner in this debate.  He was substantive  and in command of the facts and figures – to the extent that the short period allocated to  both speakers permitted.  Just as important he focused on the issue and made a convincing case that the oil price increase was excessive, poorly planned and badly executed. What was impressive too was that he was gracious and did not seek to over demonize the Government for the policy mis-step but called for its correction.

The Minister of Information, Shabery Cheek, unfortunately, used much of his time casting  aspersions on Anwar’s past record.  In contrast to Anwar who appeared gracious and  courteous, Shabery came across as a hectoring politician intent on scoring political points by making personal attacks and not debating the issue. While he attempted to analyse the rationale behind the Government action, he also tied himself up in knots – by claiming for example that the oil price increase would help reduce inflationary pressure in the economy – a point that Anwar was quick to pounce on.

Towards the end of the debate, the Minister pointed out that the fact that the debate was being held was testimony to the openness of the present Government.  It is hoped that the outcome of the debate – an apparent victory by the opposition over the Government spokesman –will not result in the Government clamping down on similar public policy debates on vital matters afffecting Malaysians.

 

From blogger Stuart Russell aka Mindful Mariner @promptus.blogspot.com:

“In my opinion, Anwar was successful in the debate, his arguments were to the point, accurate, and above all he stuck closely to the subject, and did not resort to personal issues, the converse was true of Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Ahmad Shabery Cheek, seem flustered, and was seen to be ‘foaming at the mouth’, he did not impress, tended to waffle, frequently went off at a tangent, and also brought up personal issues appertaining to Anwar Ibrahim.

There will be much analysis, the debate will be carefully and selectively dissected and both sides will of course claim victory.

But for me, the clear winner was Anwar Ibrahim.???

From MageP’s Lab @skthew.com:

Eventually, we Malaysians are the real winner. My entire family was so elevated when it’s confirmed that the debate would go on as scheduled, in fact, we appreciate the fact that it’s a combination of the Anwar factor as well as the courage by Ahmad Shabery to take up the challenge when his (Ahamd Shabery) bosses (the PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the DPM Najib Tun Razak) were shielding somewhere.

God knows where.

Here’s a few interesting observation though:

From Blogger Capt Yusof Ahmad aka Ancient Mariner:

I was quite amused that the minister insisted on getting personal and taking political digs even after being gently chided repeatedly by Anwar. To my mind, what happened in the past is history, which we can learn from, especially since Anwar wasn’t the top dog and the buck didnt stop with him. But we have to give credit where credit is due and kudos to Ahmad Shabery for letting this debate take place, and having the balls to take on Anwar especially when his taikohs are all inclined to go on a denial mode.

Last night was probably the first time in a decade the rakyat get to see Anwar speak on TV where words, gestures and body language will not fool the masses. The issue debated upon i.e., “Form a government today, fuel prices will decrease tomorrow??? now seem pretty academic unless Anwar’s opposition Pakatan Rakyat really get to form the government soon.