From www.independent.my

On the other hand, it was a very successful political appearance by Anwar Ibrahim who is facing police interrogation on Wednesday 16^th July for what his party and his supporters calls yet another ‘conspiracy’ revolving around a sodomy case.

Note: The article is extracted from independent.my, which is a new local news website. 

“It was ‘classic, timepiece’ Anwar Ibrahim. I have not seen such an Anwar on TV for a very long time. I bet there will be no further debates in the future,” said a member of the public, watching the debate on channel 119 on Astro, the Malaysian satellite television station.

“Deplorable it is that the debate on oil was held in the presence of a crowd (at least a large number of the crowd) that came to listen to the political bashing of Anwar Ibrahim by Saberi Cheek, not to support a civilized and professional debate between two politicians,” said another member of the public.

“Good enough though that Anwar Ibrahim won the debate upper handed, crushing the weak and ill-prepared Saberi Cheek on all grounds,” she added.

It was a fabulous 12-0 victory for Anwar Ibrahim, a victory that could lead the country to a massive change of regime in any future general elections. Anwar Ibrahim hinted that with the government continuing to ignore the facts, the ruling coalition was fated to a much bleaker future.

While Anwar was responding to the questions with facts and figures, Minister Saberi Cheek, who is Minister of Information of Malaysia, was busy referring to the role of Anwar as loose cannon in the 1970’s. Minister Saberi Cheek made several references to Anwar’s role as Minister of Finance in the past, which prompted responses from Anwar about the debate which was not concerning Anwar but the issue of oil price hike in Malaysia.

Besides being rhetorical, Minister Saberi was very ‘partisan’ in pointing issues that had nothing to do with the debate, showing difficulties to handle his direct opponent on major issues of economics and social responsibilities. Minister Saberi Cheek used his emotions to try propelling himself to the same level as Anwar. He might have succeeded in the election evening like propaganda but faced with Anwar; the Minister stumbled completely and delivered one of his government’s worst performances on television.

Anwar on the other hand, a fine gentleman, was more often direct to the point, refusing to be dragged into the political ploy from the Minister and his aide and answering all the questions with tact and logic. His strategy worked well and the display of this performance on television – for the first time in Malaysian history – will only fuel his popularity further and dampen the government’s claims of incapacity to restore the subsidy on oil.

Anwar explained that it was a debate on oil and how to reduce the price in order to redress the economy of the country, which he suggested was going astray and was imposing much pain on the population. He had to complain at least 4 times to the Minister that the latter was out of focus. He even said that if it was so hard for the Minister to understand the reason of the debate in the first place then it is ‘difficult’.

Anwar said the government could reverse the decision taken in April this year when it increased the price of oil by 41 percent, with the fuel price jumping from Rm1.92 to Rm2.70, which he said he would be able to reduce by Rm0.50 cent if he was in power.

He added that by imposing transparency and good governance his government or the opposition in power would be able to restore fuel subsidies but also correct the imbalances in the economy. He added that the country had a much bigger inflation figure, suggesting that the current inflationary figure given by the government was incorrect.

Lambasting the Minister with a ‘who would teach you’ that if oil price is increased in a country, inflation remains at its former level, Anwar said in the case of a country like Malaysia it was obvious that oil price increase had affected other products too.

Anwar explained that the debate was not about demonizing Petronas, the National Petroleum Company of Malaysia but to show the incompetence of the government in dealing with the global oil price rise. The Minister insisted that Anwar Ibrahim was attacking Petronas and the government, which ostensibly was not the case.

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written by kron, July 16, 2008

kalau kail panjang sejengkal, lautan dalam jangan diduga.

he won our respect
written by zakiri, July 16, 2008

He won our respect. If u had doubts, then its over...no more doubts. Anwar is the MAN.

Anwar 1 vs Shabery 0.
written by Jonathan, July 16, 2008

It was pretty comical watching Shabery. As a debater Anwar won hands down. However, one big discrepancy I still am unhappy about was the fact that Anwar said he will bring down petrol prices from RM2.70 to RM2.20. All that is very good. But if I recall correctly Anwar promised to bring down oil prices before the general elections when petrol was going for RM1.92/litre. So now how come the story has changed? Too bad Shabery didnt take the opportunity to question Anwar on this. Anwar is a know orator and also one who can wiggle out of a debate. Someone smarter needed to go to match Anwar.

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written by Ahmad Sabree, July 17, 2008

Jonathan,

I think you ve missed some part. Anwar stated that the initiative step (if PR take over) is to cut the oil prices by 50 cents. That is just the initiative step, more cut will follow, he did mention about this in the debate. The reason is the economy has become worsen when the current goverment raised the prices more than 70 cents which have impacted the whole nation economy. And I think from the economy viewpoint, there's lot more issues to settle by the government (if they make it) since prices of all necessities has gone up. And if they were to bring down it to let's say to rm1.42 perlitre, they might face shortage of funding since they also need to settle other issues as well.

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written by Pak Andak, July 17, 2008

YEs it was a great debate. A sign of a new era in Malaysia. Thanks Pak Lah, this one is very good. Anwar was apparently superior and focused on the topic and Shabery was unfortunately more focused on something else. Nevertheless I must give credit to Shabery for the courage he showed fronting Anwar on the stage compared to the other more senior ministers. The government should have sent someone stronger and more experienced though but probably nobody had the guts or Shabery was all too confident he could tackle Anwar the normal way they use in Parliament if you know what I mean.
Jonathan, I remember Shabery did ask about the pre election claim thing and Anwar did answer to that.

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written by The Dark Knight, July 23, 2008

clearly i would say that there was something oddly wrong about the minister of info during the debate. everytime the camera pointed at the guy when anwar was talking, he seemed to be abit confused and dumbfounded at all the facts and figures that anwar was flushing out. the mnister of info remind me of someone i know who gave that same expression of blurrness and a desperate attempt to attack his opponent personally instead of being professional about it. Mr Ibrahim on the other hand had only to smile like a righteous man taking in alll the personal attacks without showing emotion but professionalism to the world. It was an admirable conduct. only a righteous man will not fight fire with fire, but only of the way of peace... good job...

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