Brilliant job, Anwar Ibrahim

I was almost late for the debate between Anwar Ibrahim against Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Malaysian Information Minister. But I made it just in time for it. I was so excited, expecting this debate to live up to its fiery exchanges. Between the two, one man stood out with his detailed plans to reduce the fuel price to RM2.20, a decrease of RM0.50. And that man isn't the Information Minister. Anwar Ibrahim did mention that this will be the initial plan, should the Pakatan Rakyat form the Federal Government. Obviously, you need to start things one step at a time, which he also stated intelligently.

But what in the F*CK's hell was the Minister doing? The shame having him as a Minister. I actually think that the early minutes of the debate went on well, with both sides talking with senses. Good for us. But as the debate dragged on, it was quite obvious that Shabery Cheek was losing the plot. He began going back on his own words, such as telling Anwar Ibrahim not to draw comparisons with countries such as Iran and Venezuela. Its worth noting that this chap was the one who actually brought up these two countries at first. He even compared Malaysia with Norway and Finland. Maybe he forgot about their income per capita compared to us. Plus they don't produce oil but we do Mr. Minister.

Then while Anwar Ibrahim went on with his plans on reducing fuel price, Shabery Cheek, looked like he was at lost of words, resorted to 'personal attacks' against Anwar Ibrahim. He went on saying about 1974 incident ( I think it was that date mentioned) where Anwar Ibrahim led a demonstration against the then Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak. He kept on repeating this with few other irrelevant issues, which seemed to be 'personal attacks' against Anwar Ibrahim. Even my mother, with very small political knowledge, asked me why is the Minister repeating the same thing against Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar Ibrahim, being the smart man he is, pointed out that this debate isn't to tarnish his image but to debate on the fuel price.

Corruption, cronyism were the several issues which Anwar Ibrahim addressed in the debate while Shabery kept on like a broken record. But fair play to the Government for allowing a platform for such debate, which is a big point for Shabery Cheek. Unfortunately for him, this is a debate about fuel price. This debate was scheduled for all television stations, including TV1, TV2 and TV3. But for some reason, God knows why, those 3 channels won't be airing live telecast of tonight's debate (although TV3 is showing delayed telecast of that debate). And this debate was supposed to be an hour and a half. Note the word 'supposed to be' there? Again, God knows why its brought down to an hour and 5 minutes plus advertisements.

As if Shabery Cheek didn't made himself stupid enough, there was an analysis slot few moments after the debate. There was 2 so-called analysts, fools I'll say, somehow continued to 'be' allies to Shabery Cheek. Anwar Ibrahim mentioned the initial RM0.50 reduction in fuel price plan was needed because of the economical damages inflicted by the Government. Fair enough, time is of the essence in the healing process. And to the 2 so-called analysts, fools I'll say, don't blame Anwar Ibrahim or credit Shabery Cheek, a junior minister, for his courage in standing up against the veteran Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar Ibrahim did called on the 2 most powerful men in the Federal Government but either they chickened out or again, God knows why, they just didn't come down. So, its not the matter of Anwar Ibrahim 'bullying' a junior minister. Its more of the top guns picking a scapegoat in a junior minister, at least that's how I felt. Before the debate again, Shabery Cheek requested the Government to appoint a new Information Minister should he fail or under-performed. In my opinion Anwar Ibrahim was the more convincing debater with better facts in hand and knowledge. Thankfully, my opinion was shared by my relatives and my friends. Brilliant job Anwar Ibrahim.