LAST night’s discourse between Najib Razak and Anwar Ibrahim was not really a debate but more of an affirmation of their respective positions on the political and socio-economic status of the country, DAP’s P. Ramasamy said today.

“Anwar wanted a cautious approach on account of what went wrong in the past whereas Najib wanted a more pro-active government to bring about political and economic stability.

“Sure enough, the debate started with both stating their respective positions on Sapura Energy Bhd (SEB),” the Penang deputy chief minister said in a statement.

He added the positions of the two speakers on SEB were already well known before the debate.

He said Anwar had always said he wanted a full audit of the company before assistance was rendered whereas Najib had called for a government rescue plan.

“Did the debate provide any crucial information that the public was unaware of? The answer is no,” said the DAP leader.

Ramasamy said although Anwar did not have any fresh ideas on the subjects he discussed, including Sapura Energy, his stand as representative of the people contrasted with Najib’s.

Najib, he said, talked about government stability and a need for big projects.

“Najib unashamedly talked about big projects being beneficial to the people (while omitting the) 1MDB scandal that rocked the nation and paved the way for Pakatan Harapan to gain control of the government in 2018.

“Najib… talked confidently about BN’s term in office without realising that the BN government had collapsed under its own weight (and that he himself played a) particular role (in it).

“Anwar (however) took a much more guarded approach. For him, it was well and good to talk about big projects, but what about accountability and transparency?

“This is why he talked about the need for a forensic audit to the amusement of Najib.”

The DAP leader said that he would take Anwar’s side on the debate simply because he had a clean record unlike Najib, referring to the former prime minister’s corruption conviction and other ongoing cases.

“There is no way I will support Najib simply because he is not part of the solution but part of the problem.

“But whether it is Najib or Anwar, they simply cannot pretend that the past will not catch up with them.

“On this matter, Anwar’s record is much better than that of Najib, the father of scandals in Malaysia,” he said.

The face-off between the former Umno president and the PKR president took place at the Malaysian Tourism Centre last night.

The debate mostly touched on the fate of the cash-strapped oil and gas service provider Sapura Energy but also covered national issues including the economy, governance and the way forward for Malaysia.

Najib suggested that Sapura Energy be rescued to save thousands of jobs, including those of the vendors.

Anwar called for forensic accounting to determine whether Sapura Energy deserved a bailout. – May 13, 2022.