Debate with Anwar: Minister puts job on the line
Malaysiakini.com
Jul 10, 2008

Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said he is prepared to face the guillotine if he fails to defend government policies in the upcoming debate with PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
MCPX

"If I fail, I will leave it to the leadership to decide on my future (as a minister)," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

He was asked to comment on his statement to AgendaDaily news portal yesterday that he was putting his cabinet post on the line.

shabery chikAhmad Shabery said it was his responsibility to defend and explain the government policies pertaining to the fuel price hikes to the best of his ability.

"If I fail in my duty, I leave it to the leadership to find a new and better information minister who can explain and defend government policies. I mean it," he said.

Yesterday, Ahmad Shabery said he was confident that his decision to take on Anwar for the debate - scheduled for Monday - would help the people to better understand the rationale for the petrol and diesel price hikes.

He said the debate would be a better way to tell opposition parties about government policies rather than having them organising illegal gatherings and shameful concerts.

"It's better to debate in a more civilised way than to organise demonstrations and so on," he said.

'This is my duty'

Asked about the mixed reactions among members of parliament on the proposed debate, Ahmad Shabery said, "This is my duty. The important thing is that it will help to explain the policies of the government."

The debate, titled "Hari Ini Membentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak" (Form the government today, reduce the fuel prices tomorrow) is organised by AgendaDaily and scheduled to be held at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, commenting on an individual who claimed to be representing him and asked to be given money, Ahmad Shabery said, "I'm shocked because there are people using my name to solicit money."

"This should not happen and I've lodged a police report over the matter. I hope there won't be any more people who become victims to the scam," he said.

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