Why does Johor MB Onn Hafiz oppose public election debates?

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Johor MB Onn Hafiz Opposes Public Election Debates, Citing Need for Dignified Discourse in State Assembly

Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz believes that public election debates are unnecessary and counterproductive, advocating instead for such discussions to be confined to the state assembly. He views public debates as confrontational when held outside the formal legislative setting, suggesting that the assembly's environment is more appropriate due to its inherent decorum, restraint, and orderliness. This stance implies a preference for controlled political discourse over open public scrutiny during election periods.
State Assembly as the Sole Forum for Dignified Discourse

Onn Hafiz has stated that dignified political discussions should exclusively take place within the state assembly, not in public spaces like markets or on television. He suggested that the state assembly is the ideal venue for these exchanges because it upholds decorum, restraint, and orderliness. This perspective contrasts with the idea that election debates serve as a crucial mechanism for voters to directly scrutinise candidates.
Debates Perceived as Confrontational Outside the Assembly

According to Onn Hafiz, debates become confrontational when they occur outside the structured environment of the state assembly. He indicated that the formal setting of the assembly is designed to manage and contain such exchanges, implying that public forums lack the necessary control. This viewpoint suggests a concern about the potential for uncontrolled or aggressive interactions in a public debate setting.
Preference for Declaring Over Responding

The article suggests that Umno leaders, including Onn Hafiz, are inclined towards making declarations rather than engaging in responsive dialogue. This wiring means they are uncomfortable with situations involving surprises or direct questioning from opponents. Consequently, they tend to avoid intellectual altercations where they might be caught off guard or forced to provide immediate, unscripted answers.
Avoidance of Public Scrutiny and Intellectual Altercations

The underlying reason for Onn Hafiz's opposition is suggested to be an aversion to looking foolish or being put on the spot during public debates. Instead of engaging in such intellectual altercations, politicians like him may prefer to obfuscate issues or provide complex excuses. This approach allows them to maintain control over the narrative and avoid the unpredictability inherent in public, real-time exchanges with opponents.

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Why does Johor MB Onn Hafiz oppose public election debates?

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