Saya merasakan tidak perlu menterjemah rencana ini. Cukuplah sekadar memberi sedikit komen ringkas sahaja:

Jika kita betul-betul benar dan berani, siarkan sahaja debat ini seantara negeri. Barulah tahu siapa juara dan siapa yang berpura-pura. Belum apa-apa tempat bercakap pula menjadi satu debat "ngeri", begitu juga rakaman dari pihak televisi.

Kita memang cukup arif dengan pengalaman yang lampau. Hishamuddin tidak hadir di saat akhir dalam satu sesi di sebuah universiti. Kini beliau nampaknya mahu ia dipentaskan di sana dengan alasan tersendiri:

"Tidak mahu Mahfuz mempersalahkan ruang yang penuh dengan umno sebagai sebab musabab jika tewas nanti"

Sebenarnya dalam debat ini Mahfuz hanya perlu membukti. Oleh itu beliau perlu membawa fakta. Sejarah yang lalu akan dapat membantu hujahnya. Seperti biasa umno akan mencanangkan PAS lah punca segala perpecahan yang ada. Tetapi tanah rizab itu, siapa yang mengambilnya pula? Dan siapa yang amat cepat menjadi kaya?

Jika fakta sebegini diambil kita yakin umno akan pulang dengan sesuatu pada airmata.... kecewa.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/mal1_1101.html

NOV 1, 2000

Umno Youth to brave hostile territory

In a tactical move designed to show its strength, the youth group proposes to hold its debate with PAS in the latter's stronghold, a university auditorium

By BRENDAN PEREIRA
MALAYSIA CORRESPONDENT

KUALA LUMPUR -- Umno Youth is giving up home-ground advantage and will propose that the much-awaited public debate between the heads of Umno Youth and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) be staged in hostile territory -- a university auditorium.

The Straits Times also understands that elements of the US presidential debate format will be adopted for the face-off between Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Mr Mahfuz Omar, including a question-and-answer session with members of the audience.

As the unprecedented debate draws closer -- it will be held before the fasting month begins on Nov 28 -- one thing also is becoming clear: Neither Umno Youth nor PAS want to go into the contest with any discernible advantage.

Both are embracing the role of the underdog.

Mr Mahfuz has said that he wants the debate to be held at the cavernous Putra World Trade Centre, Umno's home-ground by virtue of it being the venue of the ruling party's annual general assembly.

But Umno insiders say they do not want to fall into the trap set by the leader of the Islamic fundamentalist party.

""If Mahfuz puts up a poor performance, he is going to say that the hall was packed with Umno supporters. That will be his ready-made excuse.

""If he does well, he will gloat that he went into Umno's stronghold and won. We do not want the venue to be a significant factor,'' said an Umno Youth exco member.

It is learnt that Umno Youth will propose that the debate be held in one of the universities.

A peculiar choice because campuses are hotbeds of PAS activity -- student councils in 10 of the 12 tertiary institutions are controlled by undergraduates linked to PAS.

Then again, there may be a good reason for the choice. Datuk Hishammuddin was asked to take part in a recent debate at University Malaya.

He declined the invitation.

The organisers kept silent about his unavailability until the eleventh hour and then announced that the Umno Youth leader would not be attending, creating the impression that he was scared to cross swords with the opposition on campus.

That perception could be erased by a stout performance in front of undergraduates.

The Straits Times also believes that Umno Youth will propose that a format akin to the US presidential debate be adopted. This system calls for a strong moderator, structured exchange of views and less room for grandstanding.

Datuk Firdaus Abdullah, the vice-deputy chancellor of University Malaya, is among many who do not believe that any good can be derived from this debate.

But if it has to happen, each debater should be given a specific time for answers and rebuttal.

""This method not only tests a person's ability to speak, but also their factual knowledge and ability to argue rationally and systematically. It also tests their ability to think under pressure,'' he added.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/asia/mal2_1101.html

Nov 1, 2000

CAKAP-CAKEP PESERTA DEBAT - Editor

Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on:

Why he accepted the challenge from PAS:

"The background to this is that PAS Youth has for so long accused me of being afraid of coming up against Mahfuz and of being unwilling to debate with him on Umno's struggle. I view this debate as an opportunity for the people and members of both parties to evaluate what needs to be done for our race. It is important for the people to see if we have a plan or if we understand what we have done so far.'

Whether he is looking for political mileage:

"If there is a personal interest, it is in ensuring that generations to come, including my children, are governed by leaders who understand the challenges before us. That is my personal interest. Nothing more, nothing less.'

MR MAHFUZ OMAR ON:

Why he issued the challenge to Datuk Hishammuddin:

"If Umno leaders still maintain that they are the champion of Malay rights, I want them to prove it in a debate. I will prove that Umno has caused the erosion of the special rights of the Malays.'

Whether he is seeking political mileage:

"I have no other agenda apart from explaining to the Malays and others how Umno always uses racial sentiments for its political interests.'