KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 – Vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the debate between Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday was a clash between two different sides of political figures.
He said unlike the PKR president, Najib who is also the former Prime Minister, presented thoughtful arguments and facts, especially in addressing the issue of oil and gas company, Sapura Energy Bhd.
Attendees witnessed the inaugural debate last night to hear arguments on the future of addressing the country’s challenges and approaches to overcoming the Sapura issue. Obviously, Najib’s performance is better.
“Not only in terms of calm and action, but strong arguments and facts coupled with a clear vision. Anwar, on the other hand, was mistakenly carried away as an opposition in this debate… failed to capture the imagination of the audience,” he said in a FB posting.
His view was seconded by Umno Supreme Working Council (MKT) member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi who said the Port Dickson MP was too rhetorical throughout the debate.
He added that Anwar also did not show himself as a suitable leader to be the Prime Minister, especially in the issues discussed.
“Najib does not want to use the term “auta” against Anwar’s argument. From beginning to end, Anwar repeatedly mentioned audit forensics. When Pakatan Harapan was in power, Anwar was silent about the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Tabung Haji, Felda and Felcra.
“Indeed, Anwar is rhetorical… he is drifting away from the Prime Minister post. The Najib-Anwar debate last night revealed that Anwar is not the PM’s material. He has no solution but only rhetoric.
“At the end of the debate, Anwar’s supporters shouted ‘reform’ and my boss’s supporters shouted ‘reformasi’… whatever, let the people judge,” he said.
Meanwhile, for Johor Bahru UMNO Division Head, Tan Sri Shahrir Samad, he said that Najib as the former Prime Minister showed himself as a leader of caliber and relevance in the country’s political arena.
“It does not change my perception of Najib. Loaded with facts such as his presence on social media, he dared to make suggestions even though he was often ridiculed, including in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Coincidentally, the CNA (Singapore media) interview with me on why Najib is still getting great public response despite no longer being the Prime Minister and facing prosecution in court was aired the same night. This is also a long story.
“So is my perception of Anwar. His style and the content of his speech are as I remember him. It’s good to hear but the satisfaction is only temporary,” he said.
