Very strong support for the 'big debate' as Najib agrees

A recent survey by opinion research firm Merdeka Center has found that 54% of young Malaysians want to see regular debates between prime minister Najib Razak and parliamentary Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim .

"Support for the debate was especially high [among] young voters where 67% agreed that there should be a debate between the two leaders to showcase their 'ideas and policies to the nation'," said the organisation in a statement.

The survey also laid bare the differences in the thinking pattern between young and old Malays. It stated that support for such debates was strongest among young Malay voters at 76%, and lowest among Malay voters aged 60 and above, at 39%.

"While some argue that such debates are unnecessary and 'not a part of our culture' the findings suggests that it will help voters make up their minds as 62% of voters who have yet to decide which party to vote for, thus deemed 'undecided', support the notion of having debates between the leader of the ruling and opposition coalitions.

Calls for a debate between the top leaders of the country's major political coalitions have grown in recent weeks, in the aftermath of the debate between DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng and MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

In an about turn following earlier statements rejecting such debates, Najib said he had no problem to engage in political debates.

"That much I accept. I am happy to argue politics with any reasonable man or woman and appreciate Malaysians' lively political debate," he said in his latest entry on his blog, www.1malaysia.com.my.

"However, I do think there is a point where democratic debate ends and is replaced by nothing more than abuse, lies and misrepresentation and those who are serious about our great country's future should try not to cross it," Najib added, as quoted by Bernama.

-Harakahdaily