Opting out of debate looks bad for Nurul Izzah, says analyst
PETALING JAYA : Nurul Izzah Anwar should take up the challenge to a public debate with Rafizi Ramli or she would be perceived as not daring to take on her rival, says an analyst.
Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said Nurul Izzah should use the debate as a platform to explore issues afflicting PKR and share her ideas for the party to progress.
'I think it's to Nurul Izzah's detriment to turn down the debate. It might be interpreted by many quarters as her not daring to face Rafizi on such a platform.
'It does not look good because then there will be the perception that she had given up in this 'first round' of their battle,' he told FMT.
Mazlan said public debates for contestants vying for the PKR deputy presidency should be a norm, especially for a party that often touts debates as a healthy political culture.
'This party election is crucial to PKR's continuity. The party's grassroots need to know the views of their potential leaders as well as what they can offer the party if elected.
'This culture (of debates) is widespread in developed countries in Europe, and even the US and Australia,' he said.
Last night, Nurul Izzah dismissed calls for a public debate with Rafizi, saying their focus should be on reducing tensions within PKR and reaching out to party delegates.
However, Rafizi was eager to take part in the debate, saying this would allow PKR delegates and the public to judge for themselves who would be better suited for the post.
Akademi Nusantara's Azmi Hassan believed that Nurul Izzah knew she would be on the losing end if she were to take part in a debate with Rafizi, who took part in debate championships in his youth representing Malay College Kuala Kangsar.
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'Rafizi appears confident that he would beat Nurul Izzah (in a debate). Nurul Izzah knows she has limited experience (in debating), so agreeing to it would yield more negative effects for her,' he said.
Rafizi and Nurul Izzah are in a one-on-one contest for the PKR deputy presidency, which Rafizi won in the 2022 party elections. Nurul Izzah, who did not contest then, is currently an appointed party vice-president.
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