The comment made by ‘Areyaar’  will inspire many people in Malaysia, certainly those who doubted the ability and the qualities of Anwar Ibrahim. Areyaar added in his comment that: “Well, we had already begun to sympathies with him after this new sodomy-fiction-drama, which really looks more and more like a particularly cowardly attempt to demolish his rise to power. Instead, the debate just won Anwar a new-found respect and an even larger fan base,”

“It shows the maturity with which the Malaysian people understands the political ramifications in their country and it also points out the fact that the people are indeed searching for a professional politician to run their country,” said one observer to WFOL.

Even to the skeptical Malaysian – believe me a large number of the Malaysian population are skeptics – the issue was singularly favorable to Anwar. “But I agree that DSAI is the gentlemen. He has the composure to withstand multiple attacks and be able to articulate logical points. It is not a slam dunk but for the UMNO/BN it looked worst,” said another commentary on the Malaysia-Today website.

It will be difficult for Anwar’s opponents to claim that Anwar is chasing popularity – he is already very popular among the folks in cities and towns – though it was clear that Anwar’s popularity barometer went on high voltage during the debate.

Some commentaries also suggested the Abdullah Badawi government was trying hard to ‘sink themselves’ by proceeding with the debate live on television, something that had never happened before in Malaysia.

The Minister of Information, however pale his performance, did nevertheless state that Anwar Ibrahim would not be on TV had it not been for the ‘transparent’ form of government headed by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. This was probably the only moment with which the Minister could be credited with some good points.

“It was an embarrassment for the government,” said other commentaries while many suggested that the Minister should keep up to his word and resign as he promised to do if he failed to nail Anwar Ibrahim during the debate.

The Malaysian government is trying to open up the Media space to the opposition in a bid to calm the raging spirits against the tight control the ruling coalition had kept on the press for decades. The Prime Minister office had suggested that it was the influence of the blogs and the Internet that had ruined the Barisan National (BN) two third majority in Parliament in the March 2008 General Elections.

It look that it will be tough for the Abdullah Badawi regime to revert on its promises of change in the country, certainly changes that has to do with press laws and freedom of speech. It must be said though that, for the sake of the clarity, the government must be congratulated for allowing the debate.

Nevertheless, another commentary said ”kalau kail panjang sejengkal, lautan dalam jangan diduga,” which in English would literally mean: If you are not prepared, better not try.

The impact of the debate on the popularity of the government will probably give more arguments to the forces that are against the Prime Minister in his agenda to change the country to face globalization. Freedom of speech and such live debates between opposition members and government ministers are to be the norm in a country that is aiming to gain ‘developed’ status soon.

“Anwar has come off as the more matured, intelligent, calm and more witty speaker. Basically, the only one who knew what he was talking about and what the debate was actually about was Anwar. The others were an embarrassment,” said Areyaar.

Anwar has won the respect of many people after the debate but it must be said that the government of Abdullah Badawi must also be praised for opening up the media and for offering such a chance to the people to see an opposition leader demolish a Minister on stage.

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PM-in-waiting
written by jerry, July 18, 2008

I should think Anwar Ibrahim can be a very good PM for Malaysia because he got all the characteristics of a potential leader- amicable,benevolent,charismatic,diligent,enthusiastic,f unky,gorgeous and many more!

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written by zakiri, July 18, 2008

The question is..will he survive the plots, the consipiracies and the evil doing of his opponents? It can be tough with such designs and plans those negative BN can have!

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