DEBAT
July 15th, 2008 | by akula |Watched Debat Agenda Daily `Hari Ini Bentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak’ on TV just now.
Here is what I think.
Anwar Ibrahim was rather rhetoric in his presentation while Ahmad Shabery Chik basically attacked the ex TPM at every opportunity.
Anwar Ibrahim proposed to cut the petrol price by 50 cents by restructuring IPP’s contract, doing away with a government company (I didnt manage to get the name and function of this company) and by appropriating RM 1 billion Petronas 2008 special divident paid to the government. This, he said will be enough to offset the projected RM 5 billion petroleum subsidy expenses by the government if the 50 cents petroleum price cut is to be introduced.
It was interesting to note that Anwar equated the incentives of building infrastructures for foreign investment with subsidy. In which he elaborated that these two are actually the same thing, differed only by whom it is enjoyed.
Ahmad Shabery Chik was relying solely on the global petroleum price increase factor to counter Anwar’s proposal which I think didnt contribute any positive input to the debate. I really wish he had presented the government’s views and arguments based on local economic facts rather than ranting about petroleum prices and inflation figures of some faraway countries.
And what is with his repeated personal attacks on Anwar Ibrahim anyway? Thinking back, I wonder if this debate was specially held for Ahmad Shabery Chik’s personal glory rather than being a venue for a healthy and serious discussions.
Despite that, I applaud his effort to debate and take Anwar head on and in a live coverage.
So whats next?
Of course we have a cause to be concerned by Anwar. Too rhetorical and too chameleon like. Just look at recent events. He, supposedly, has no confidence whatsoever in the “institution”. Sought refuge in a foreign Embassy fearing for his life (lives?), and with just words of guarantee for his safety from a Minister of the “institution” that he has no confidence in, all the sudden everything is OK and he is now going around meeting the public. Apa punya manusia ni?
Write your piece .......Sizero: “Apa punya manusia ni?”. Ermmm…. a politician? Hehe.
Write your piece .......Good answer, Akula. That just says it all doesn’t it, with all these fellas? Tak kisahlah which party they’re from .. at the end of the day, they’re all the same, just donning different hats for different interests. But these debates are good. I hope they continue them.
Write your piece .......congratulations to Kerajaan Barang Naik (not that i support them) on their openness & willingness debating the so called no. 1 topic in malaysia (especially kedai kopi conference), this will however paved more “healthy” debates and let the public be the judge.
On another notes, the debates will be also be a ground for the opposition (not that i support them) to voices their concern rather than taking the street.
Whatever the case is, the current Information Minister is much better than the previous one.
Kudos to everybody involve in organising the debate & i personally would like to see more debates….
Write your piece .......De Merezo: I agree. The last information Minister was a lousy one. Good riddance.
Write your piece .......Blabs: Yup. Thats one BN’s move that I agree with.
Write your piece .......