Rafizi vs Khairy debate: The bigger picture
There were no insults or personal attacks, just facts and light-hearted banter, and it’s incredulous that older politicians are averse to such healthy exchanges on Malaysian soil.
The two contenders presented their arguments at the first event of 2012 organised by the United Kingdom and Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC). Their topic was “Public Policy: Vision 2020: Is Malaysia Moving Towards the Right Direction?”
Mariam Mokhtar, Free Malaysia Today
The most enduring words uttered by Rafizi Rahim, the Pakatan strategic director in his debate with Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar in London last Sunday, were his closing remarks to the assembled students.
“All of you, when you go back to Malaysia, it does not really matter which side you take. Whether BN, or Pakatan. Please participate…
“The worse tragedy is having so many bright people, learning from the best of the best universities, only to go back and withdraw into your own little world, not really knowing what happens outside.
“Go back and make a difference, no matter what you choose to do. Make sure you make a difference to society.”
His words were echoed by the equally magnanimous Khairy, who told the students to make informed decisions making use of all sources of media, both alternative and mainstream.
Khairy informed the audience that “Malaysia had moved on” and that open debates should be the future of the nation.
The two contenders presented their arguments at the first event of 2012 organised by the United Kingdom and Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC). Their topic was “Public Policy: Vision 2020: Is Malaysia Moving Towards the Right Direction?”
In this lighthearted, medium-paced banter between the two young leaders, both of whom studied at British universities, there was wit and humour, plus application of facts tempered with personal experience.
‘Poke-eye’ clothes
There were agreements and disagreements on issues, which ranged from the economy, the taxation system, subsidies, free media access to the racial perspective, the teaching fraternity, Sabah and Sarawak, the Public Assembly Bill (PAB), and racial unity.
The enthusiasm showed by about 350 Malaysian students from all over the UK and the Irish Republic was no less pleasing to watch.
The more conservative of them, judging by their mode of dress, mingled freely with the long-legged girls in high heels, hot pants and ultra mini-skirts. To quote the Ministry of Defence’s English website which has since been removed, there were quite a few Malay girls even wearing “poke-eye” clothes.
One wonders what would have happened if this event had been in Malaysia, where women in short-sleeved blouses have been refused entry to government departments. Nevertheless, it was healthy to note our youth fully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and choice.
Elsewhere in the conference hall, the old freely chatted with the young, and the straight had no qualms about exchanging notes with those who were undoubtedly from the LGBT crowd.
The two stars of the day, Khairy and Rafizi, looked as though they enjoyed themselves debating with one another.
With the interest generated and the civility showed, it is incredulous that our older politicians are averse to similar useful exchanges on Malaysian soil. As the Sunday event showed, there was no trading of insults and no personal attacks. Just facts, figures and the occasional playful tease.
This exchange was in stark contrast to the July 2008 debate between Anwar Ibrahim, when he was the special adviser to PKR and Ahmad Shabery Cheek, the former BN Information Minister, which was broadcast on TV3 and ASTRO.
In this event, Shabery freely dished out personal insults while Anwar resisted making innuendos and kept strictly to the topic.
