Debate War: Rafizi Refuses TV Debate with Wan Ahmad Fayhsal
Economy Minister Dismisses Youth Chief’s Challenge
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has disregarded a challenge from Bersatu Youth Chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal to engage in a televised debate.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who made the challenge yesterday, wanted to debate Rafizi on television, just as Bachok MP Syahir Che Sulaiman had recently done. However, Rafizi has refused the offer, citing the financial implications of appearing on television.
Podcasts: A More Viable Option
Rafizi, who is also the PKR deputy president, defended his choice of podcasts as a platform for debates. "You need to pay for airtime. You want to debate so much, do it on a podcast," he said.
If Rafizi were to agree to Wan Fayhsal’s request for a televised debate, he would have to do so on principle for any MP that challenges him to debates. The economy minister believes that Wan Fayhsal’s desire for airtime is excessive, suggesting that he could instead use an opportunity to represent the Perikatan Nasional leadership or repeat his call to print money, which would likely garner a week’s worth of television coverage.
Wan Fayhsal Refuses to Back Down
Wan Fayhsal, however, remains resolute, denying that he is afraid of debating Rafizi on a podcast. "What are podcasts for? I want to debate him live on mainstream TV like Bachok did with Rafizi. Bring it on," he posted on X.
He also expressed a desire to have Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil join the debate, suggesting a two-on-one scenario. Wan Fayhsal was responding to an X user who accused him of being afraid to appear on Rafizi’s “Yang Bakar Menteri” podcast due to fears of losing in the Bersatu polls next month.
Conclusion
The debate between Rafizi and Wan Fayhsal has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with many weighing in on the merits of each side’s arguments. While Rafizi’s refusal to engage in a televised debate may have been seen as a missed opportunity, Wan Fayhsal’s determination to engage in a more public forum has been praised by some as a sign of confidence in his arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the reason for Rafizi’s refusal to engage in a televised debate with Wan Fayhsal?
- Rafizi cited the financial implications of appearing on television, suggesting that podcasts are a more viable option for debating.
- What is Wan Fayhsal’s response to Rafizi’s refusal?
- Wan Fayhsal has refused to back down, denying that he is afraid of debating on a podcast and expressing a desire for a televised debate.
- What is the topic of the proposed debate between Rafizi and Wan Fayhsal?
- The topics include the "money-printing lies" and the MAHB-BlackRock issue, with Wan Fayhsal inviting Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil to join the debate.