As I said, our fight is not just about ABU. It must be about getting rid of the Umno culture, which is prevalent in the opposition as well. We accuse the government of all sorts of sins and transgressions. But the opposition does exactly what they accuse the government of doing. And in this ‘debate with Anwar’ episode, the MSM and the alternative media both sang the same tune.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Have you seen these two videos yet?
Okay, now see the exchanges of e-mails below dated February 2012. Are these e-mails and the two videos consistent?
Yes, these all related to the so-called ‘debate’ that Anwar Ibrahim and I were supposed to have had earlier this year. The mainstream media (MSM) and alternative media (pro-Pakatan Rakyat) both played up the issue that I had challenged Anwar to a debate and that Anwar had turned me down.
This was, of course, a pack of lies perpetuated by both sides of the political divide, Barisan Nasional as well as Pakatan Rakyat. And those from Pakatan Rakyat remarked: who am I to challenge Anwar to a debate? I am not of the same level as Anwar to want to challenge him to a debate. Anwar is a national leader. I am only a Blogger, not worthy of throwing any challenges to Anwar.
After the exchanges of the three e-mails below, they phoned me and asked me whether I mind if they paired me with Anwar seeing that we are both from Malaysia. See that part in the last e-mail that says: We would aim to pair you with another guest. I can of course let you know who this is as/when it is confirmed.
I replied that I have no problems with that and they then phoned Anwar but Anwar did not want to be ‘paired’ with me. So they called me back and suggested that they do separate sessions with Anwar and me. I replied that maybe they should just interview Anwar and drop me from the list because I do not want to disturb their programming schedule.
If you look at the videos you can see that it was an interview and not a debate. Anwar knew this but he remained silent and did not clear the air. He allowed the talk of ‘the debate’ to continue and the vilifying against me to go on. Was this an honest thing to do?
I did try to explain the matter but they continued to whack me for ‘challenging Anwar to a debate’ in spite of there not being any challenge and it being merely an interview and not a debate.
Pakatan Rakyat accuses the government-controlled MSM of lying and of distorting events. The pro-Pakatan Rakyat alternative media is not any better. And I should know because I too have been a victim of these lies and distorted reports. So, can Pakatan Rakyat talk about change when they too conduct themselves just like the government-controlled MSM?
As I said, our fight is not just about ABU. It must be about getting rid of the Umno culture, which is prevalent in the opposition as well. We accuse the government of all sorts of sins and transgressions. But the opposition does exactly what they accuse the government of doing. And in this ‘debate with Anwar’ episode, the MSM and the alternative media both sang the same tune.
So why would I want to fight to replace one devil with another, never mind that one may be a bigger devil than the other? Small devil or big devil, a devil is still a devil. And this ‘debate’ episode is just one of many episodes that show how both sides can be devils when it suits their political agenda.
This is not what I mean when I say we must fight for change. It is not a fight to replace a bigger evil with a lesser evil. It must be a fight to eradicate evil totally. If not how can we justify deposing Saddam Hussein who is not as bad as Adolf Hitler? Was not Saddam considered evil even if he was not as bad as Hitler?
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Dear Raja Petra Kamarudin,
I work for a UK Production Company called Quick Roll Productions. We are putting together a new ten-part series of interviews, called 'The World Tomorrow', which will be hosted by journalist and Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange. I'm writing to enquire if you would like to take part in the programme.
The interviews will feature a broad range of figures who relate to global power in the 21st century from 'insider' as well as 'outsider' perspectives. The format of the programme is a free-flowing, frank conversation where we discuss with our guests what they imagine are they 'worst-case' (dystopian) and 'best-case' (utopian) scenarios for the world in the 21st century. The interviews will broadcast towards the end of March/beginning of April via several media networks including Russia Today, a global channel with a reach of over 600 million viewers.
The interviews can either be conducted on location near London (if you happen to be in the UK), or by satellite video-link or Skype and will last in the region of 30 - 45 minutes. We would be looking at a record date around 8th March.
I'm happy to provide further details about the programme, but wanted to send a quick note in the first instance. Be great to hear if this is of interest and something you would like to take part in.
With best wishes,
Michelle
Quick Roll Productions
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Let me think about it. I am not sure whether I am the right person for this because I am not really that 'global' but more into localised Malaysian politics.
Raja Petra Kamarudin
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Hi, thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Yes, do have a think about it. We're talking to people who do interesting work from all across the globe.
We are hoping to do an episode looking at South-East Asia, and as the main focus of the programme is the world in the 21st century, would hope to discuss best case/worst case scenario for the region. We would aim to pair you with another guest. I can of course let you know who this is as/when it is confirmed. If it is something of interest, then do let me know.
With best wishes,
Michelle
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