CAMERON POLLS | Voters in Cameron Highlands were given a chance to witness history last night when the first televisedpublic debate was held in the farming town.
However, few voters showed up at the event in Hotel Heritage in Tanah Rata. In fact, it would appear that more than half the 50 people in the room were either media or plainclothes police.
The turnout at the debate was a far cry from the two ceramah, organised by Pakatan Harapan and BN respectively, which were held in its vicinity.
When moderator Faisal S Hazis took questions from the floor, only a few voters had questions.
Nevertheless, the situation benefited voter Mohd Tahir Haji Kassim, who could pose several questions since he didn't have to give way.
A former Islamic Development Department (Jakim) officer, Mohd Tahir, 60, the debate was a welcome change in electoral practices and brought the country closer to practices aborad.
"Having the candidates debate each other is good. It will have an effect on voters," said Mohd Tahir, who travelled nearly two hours from Kampung Medang to witness the debate.
Mohd Tahir also said that he was assisting independent candidate Salehuddin Ab Talib's campaign.
Levelling the playing field
Paediatrician Dr Cheam May Choo, 59, said that the public debate stage helped to level the playing field for independent candidates who did not possess party machinery.
"It allows them to send their message accross," said Cheam, who said she attended the debate to know the candidates better.
Thomas Fann, who heads electoral reform pressure group Bersih which organised the debate, said he was not disappointed by the turnout because history was made.
"We are not disappointed at all, this is a historic occasion. We managed to organise a debate between the candidates and it was broadcast nationwide.
"We hope this will be a good start. (Hopefully in) future by-elections and general elections, we will consider (debating) to be the norm and expected of all candidates," he told Malaysiakini.
Fann said the only regret was that BN's Ramli Mohd Nor did not take part in the debate as it would have showcased his ability to debate in Parliament.
"It is their loss. They could have had free airtime," he said. -Mkini
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