Anwar Ibrahim VS Shabery Cheek

My stomach was making loud noises. The acidic water inside my stomach linings were rumbling,tossing and turning like me in bed. I was perspirating. Pulsating. Eyes closed while the brain winding very fast...thinking. The noises did not cease. Instead it was getting louder, not knowing where the limits were.

Arghh....ok..ok...I surrender. I got up lazily with half opened eyes roaming the dark room with a hint of lights. I pressed my knuckles, circled my head, yawned for a second, and up I was heading to the door. Arghh...why did the stomach make such a protest at the most unsuitable time? The sore eyes that I got from too much computer has not been helpful. Again. Another rumbling. Ok...Ok...I will fill you up. Mr stomach was screaming for a descent food. I guess going to bed with an empty stomach has a price to pay. So there I was in the middle of the night, shoving bread and strawberry jam into my mouth, biting and savouring the taste to the last bite. A huge mug of coffee did not do me any good. I was too full to retire, and ho....what would I do to kill my time?

My eyes quickly roving around looking for that rectangle black remote that has been a 'struggle' between me and my daughters. Well, it was midnight. So mom won! No more remote war! A huge sigh...and so I sat lazily on the wing back chair flipping from one channel to the other. Nothing got my attention, until I opened channel 501 on Astro Awani. Ho...ho..ho...in ten minutes time, at 1pm...yes...the repeat of the Anwar debate would be telecast. Hmm....this would be something very interesting to watch. At first, I was sceptical if it would ever take place...That night, maybe it was my luck, I was right on time. So...I waited with no particular expectations. The only thing that crossed my mind was how the debate would be conducted or if there would be any fights or calling of names.

Finally, it was on air. Gulp....I felt like muddy water was stuck in my throat. Hmm....I was speechless...not because I was at awe, but I was generally dismayed,humiliated and at certain moments tickled to watch the whole debate. For a moment, I thought I was at school, watching secondary students fighting to support their weak points and issues. There were two adults, one an ex-deputy prime minister, and the other one a minister, standing behind their rostrums strutting their voices up defending themselves and what they believe in...But why did I feel something was mising? Was it suppossed to be wise, matured, well crafted, analytical and strong debates with zest and killer points? Or was it suppossed to be like limp, boring, loose debates that had lost its focus? Or what was its focus by the way? The oil price? Petronas? The leadership? Or the promotions of Anwar Ibrahim and Shabery Cheek?

Infamous it may be...but was it (the debate) in the end making any impact on us, the country and its economy? Hmm..personally I don't think so. It was the weakest debate I have ever anticipated from. Knowing how deep these people are scratching each other's back and making remarks of each other, watching the debate is really an anti climax...like watching your cat catching a bird and ended up hitting the tree!

Anwar Ibrahim is obviously a debater. He enjoys talking. It shows in all his speeches and choice of words even way back when he was a deputy PM. But a good debater does not mean you are a good leader. A good debater does not mean you are trustworthy (as you can fool people with your play of words). A good debater does not mean you are capable. It's just words...And actions in words need to be proven when the time comes.

Shabery Cheek on the other hand, has no direction. He was rumbling all ways. I feel sorry for him. He has no strong arguments to defend the government and the current scenario now. He was talking about the formation of Petronas, whereas Anwar was talking about the leadership.

In the end? It was a no win-win situation. Nobody gains anything. Just sore throats, wasted saliva and tired legs (of standing).

Hmm.....I went to bed with a dizzy head. I chuckled while reminiscing the faces of Anwar and Shabery one after another. What has this world got itself into? Don't we have anything better to do? Hmm....I closed my eyes but the images kept coming one after another...Oh No...I hope it was not a nightmare!