Quartet to slug it out in inaugural Debatkini

For the first-time ever, Malaysiakini will be hosting a debate that will see four BN and Pakatan Rakyat politicians pitting against one another in a battle of wits over burning issues confronting the nation.

The forum, to be held next Tuesday and titled ‘Is Malaysian democracy moving forward?', will see two representatives each from the ruling BN coalition and opposition Pakatan.

The debaters are Abdul Rahman Dahlan (Umno), Gan Ping Sieu (MCA), Mujahid Yusof Rawa (PAS) and R Sivarasa (PKR).

Held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), registration for the event will kick off at 7.30pm.

The 90-minute session will be moderated by Malaysiakini chief executive officer Premesh Chandran.

Chandran said after having pioneered the online news industry 13 years ago, it is time for the website to host a live public forum.

"Our raisons d'être is to encourage a civil exchange of ideas which can act as a catalyst for Malaysia's democratisation process.

"Politics should not always be about confrontation. Instead, an intellectual dialogue from opposite political forces is needed to avoid polarisation and instead focus on policy," said Chandran.

Over the past few months, Malaysiakini has organised a series of debates in Chinese in different parts of the country, but this is first time that an English debate is being held. A Malay debate is also on the cards.

Outspoken and articulate

On the line-up of speakers, Chandran pointed out that they represent a relatively young crop of political leaders who are outspoken and articulate.

"Abdul Rahman and Gan are particularly interesting as they are among the few BN leaders who engage the public through Twitter. Now the public can engage them face-to-face," said Chandran.

Forum participants will be able to field written questions to the four speakers.

The questions are to be drawn at random, allowing everyone a fair chance of getting their questions across to the debaters.
There is a RM10 entry fee to help cover cost.

Although tickets can be bought at the door, those who pre-book tickets with Malaysiakini will stand a chance to win three sets of Zunar's cartoon books.

Don't miss it! Be at KLSCAH at 7.30pm on Tuesday, June 19, for the inaugural Debatkini.