Ayoi’s

I seldom post any politics related topics in this blog as I am more bipartisan type of guy plus I dun want this blog to be a political blog. But as yesterday, for the first time in Malaysian Political history, a debate session between an opposition political leader and a representative of the government on the issue of fuel hike was held. To be honest, the theme of the debate is about the promise by the opposition coalition that once they assume the federal power then the price of the fuel will be reduced on the next day.

Never mind that the opposition leader is Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was known for his oratory capability that able to mesmerize the audience either local or international.

Never mind about that Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim was a former collegian of Malay College Kuala Kangsar, the same school I spent my 5 youth years.

Never mind that during the “reformasi” years, I used to hang a small tag that has a picture of Dato’ Seri Anwar and a word “REFORMASI” in my car.

Never mind that (I suspect) because of the MCKK background, the sodomy charges on Dato’ Seri Anwar is looked like legitimate for “them”.

But the main thing here is how Dato’ Seri Anwar can at least explain his stand/promise/mechanism/methods of reducing the fuel price and how the government, represented by the Minister of Information, Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Chik explain to the people why the government need to increase 40%+ of the fuel price.

So me and wifey watched this historical debate at one of the mamak’s restaurants at Kinrara. And the crowd is surprisingly (not surprisingly la) overwhelmed the tables and chairs and the restaurant workers have to take our their “spare” tables and chairs.

Of cause, I am expecting a very intellectual debate where each speaker or panellist will support his argument with facts and figures because as Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a former Finance Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister, he has the inside knowledge on how government do their work while as for Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Chik, he can request all the information needed that can be used in his arguments.

Throughout the debate, it seems Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim never failed my expectation. Of cause because he’s a seasoned politician, know when to sooth the crowd, how to express or convey his points in short period of time and how to act respectable during the session. I guess his debating experience during his school days is very valuable. Even though he didn’t elaborate his plan in details, but the idea on how to help reducing the burden of the people is doable and logic. And throughout the debate session itself the main points emphasised by the former Deputy Prime Minister are the sudden price hike is burdening the people, the importance of optimizing national resources (optimizing and not wasting) and the needs to identify the economy leakages and perform the immediate remediation. Of cause this fall under the government responsibilities.

And to be honest, I am totally disappointed with the performance of the Information Minister. You have around 4-5 minutes to explain to the people on government stance and justification for the price hike but instead you wasting those time by attacking your counterpart personality, history and past. We are not wasting 1 hour to hear that and if I want to know that, I’d rather read politics blogs. You spent most of the time evading from answering the question by (sometimes) even mumbling about other non related things.

As example, you said the former DPM was a firebrand student who critize everbody back in 1974 and promotes street demonstrations which is not our culture. Well if I’m not mistaken, when the British plan to introduce Malayan Union, our forefathers express their disagreement via demonstrations. Why? Because it seems at that day, the British did not (or pretending) to listen the people’s opinions. So they bring it on the streets nationwide which in the end the British has to listen. Well, are our government listening to our voices?

What can I conclude from the debate?

a). Dato’ Seri Anwar’s plan will only become a plan. I dun think our government is listening

b). It seems like this debate was held to attack on Anwar’s character nationwide

c). How can our Information minister sounds like misinformed minister?

d). It doesn’t matter if you opponent is a seasoned politician or a school boy, you need to prepare with adequate information as your arsenal. Stay focus on the topic and PLEASE answer the damned questions.

e). Now I know why most of our graduates are unemployed or non competent. Just look at the Advisor to the Information Minister. I am embarrassed.

Unbelievable..

p/s: Anyway to Dato’ Ahmad Shabery Chik, I take my hat off for you as at least you have the courage to have a debate with a more senior, more seasoned politician, compared to your bosses ;P

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