Anwar's political games: Shabery put post on the line

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said today he was prepared to be taken actions by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi if he failed to defend government policies in the upcoming debate with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"If I fail, I will leave it to the leadership to decide on my future (as a minister)," he said when asked to comment on his statement to AgendaDaily news portal yesterday that he was putting his cabinet post on the line.

Ahmad 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 told reporters after meeting Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Chairman Maurice Newman and delegation at the parliament house Thursday.

Ironically, the said debate themed "Form the Government Today, Reduce the Oil Price Tomorrow", organized by news portal 'Agenda Daily' to be held at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka hall is part and parcel of the political games.

Ahmad Shabery knew perfectly well the mountain has a tiger, he is just waiting for the right time to get the cub as you can't catch a cub without going into the the tiger's den. It is a good political strategy to debate with Anwar with nothing to lose but everything to gain.

By putting his cabinet post on the line, I guess this is his political strategy of putting opposition-party members into the pocket and on a par with the top opposition political figure.

By and large, it is not only a political mileage but powerful political counter attack by Ahmad Shabery. He is setting the political precedent to take on opposition not only to address but instead end the issues arises frequently. The debate would mark him as a rising political star on the Malaysian political scene ……….