Malaysians from all walks of life hungry for more debates

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians flocked to kopitiams to take in the debate between Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Lim Guan Eng on issues that affected them and, in particular, matters of interest to the Chinese community.

There were occasional clapping, cheers and jeers among the crowd who watched the TV showdown with hopes that more of such debates would come their way.

Shaun Gopal, 26, said the live debate reflected a healthy political competition.

“However, it would have been more productive if it was not opened to the floor,” said the communication major undergraduate.

“It was visibly distracting to both Dr Chua and Lim as some people raised matters that had nothing to do with the topic at hand,” he said.

Derek Kok, 20, a law student at the Brickfields Asia College, said bluntly: “The debate never really hit the topic. I wish there were more substantive points.”

In BATU PAHAT where the two leaders were raised, the debate brought business to many coffee shops and eateries.

Both Dr Chua, 65, and Lim, 52, grew up here. They studied at the Montfort Primary School and Batu Pahat High School.

Ivan Lee, 39, a rojak seller at a coffee shop in Taman Bukit Perdana, said the shop was crowded, with people coming in as early as 3pm to watch the 5pm debate.

Mechanic Lest Lee, 35, said he took time off to watch the debate with six friends at a food court.

“It was interesting to see two important men from our town in a live debate like this,” he said.

In PENANG, similar sentiments took place at the Prangin Mall as supporters of both sides watched the debate.

Technician Wong Yin Yak, 43, said: “Both are English-educated, yet were able to converse well in Mandarin.”