Dr M: Malaysians not mature enough for debates
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 20 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has downplayed the value of and need for politicians to debate each other, saying Malaysians were not ready for such exchanges.
The former prime minister said debates would only “make the situation worse” as Malaysians were far too sentimental and emotional to appreciate arguments that were presented rationally.
“The Malaysian public is not yet that mature. This is not America. And even in America, the debates all expose how stupid the candidates are, that’s all,”
he told reporters at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here.
Dr Mahathir added that there was no need for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to debate Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as “there was nothing to debate with him (over)”.
The Umno veteran described his former protégé as “chameleon” who would only say what people wanted to hear in the latter’s quest to be prime minister.
“He is everything to everybody,” he scoffed. “He changes colour every time. When he is with the Chinese, he condemns the NEP. When he is with the Indians, he is Indian. When he is with Muslims, he will give talks about Islam.”
The Perkasa patron had earlier held a closed-door discussion with the Malay rights group here on issues affecting the community.
When asked to comment on the talks, Dr Mahathir lamented that the Malays had to resort to private meetings to discuss matters concerning the community or risk being labelled as racists for speaking more openly.
“So we have to meet in seclusion, almost secretly, to talk about our problems. This very unfortunate in a country that talks about freedom of speech; we cannot talk about ourselves because it is racist.”
“People say there’s freedom to speak now but we can’t talk about one subject, and that is the Malays,” he said.
Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali said in a separate press conference here later that it was crucial to tackle problems faced by the Malays to ensure the continued stability of the country.
According to him, the Malays must close ranks as the unity of Malaysia’s largest ethnic group was the backbone of national unity.
“In the long term, this is what the other races should keep in mind. They may achieve their demands and whatever they want, but later, in 10 or 15 years, if the economic disparity widens and the Malays are not happy, we cannot assure the security of the country.
“So that’s why when Perkasa resolves certain issues for the good of the Malays, it is also good for the other races. When the Malays are happy, definitely it will contribute to the happiness of society,” he said.
Debate is not to solve any issue, it's only making things more complicated.
BalasPadamSolve issue? how to solve the issue? the debate just only want to show that "I am Hero of M'sia"
PadamI think discussion is the best solution to solve an issue.
BalasPadamMahathir has a point here. Its sad to see there are some people who still debate with emotions rather than rationale.
BalasPadamI wonder if the debate will still go on after Mahathir raised this point?
PadamI think Najib will not take the challanges to debate with Anwar.
PadamPendebat yang hebat tidak semestinya hebat dalam kerja2nya.
PadamSometimes for the sake of improvements and betterment of the common good, the best approach is to 'agree to disagree'
BalasPadamBe sure that what they are doing are actually worthwhile and not just a waste of time.
PadamBut it's an irony here people still take positive criticism too personally.
BalasPadamMost of them do not take criticism well, but criticism is good to help improve themselves.
PadamThey see it as a personal attack rather than people pointing out the flaws that needs and can be rectified.
BalasPadamCriticism should be embraced so that they can change their flaws instead of denying it.
PadamHopefully there are something positive from this debate between BN and PKR.
BalasPadamyang dilihat adalah isi yang ada dalam perdebatan tersebut. pastikan ia perkara yang baik.
BalasPadamjika Anwar masih berkeras mahu berdebat, baik beliau gunakan masa dan tenaga beliau itu untuk berdebat dengan kerajaan negara filipina bagi menubuhkan konsulat mereka di negeri ini..
BalasPadambaik Anwar teruskan saja kempen politik beliau di seluruh negara.. lupakan saja untuk berdebat dengan PM kerana ianya tidak akan berlaku..
BalasPadamJika debat ini tidak mendatangkan apa2 kebaikan kepada rakyat, lebih baik lupakan saja. masih banyak perkara lain yang perlu dilksanakan selain debat ini.
BalasPadamNampaknya Dr M sendiri tidak begitu setuju dengan debat antara Anwar dan Najib.
BalasPadamTidak perlulah berdebat bagus lagi duduk sama-sama dan membincangkan jalan bagi memajukan negara kita ini. Alangkah baiknya jika begitu. Pasti tidak ada huru-hara berlaku di Negara kita.
BalasPadam