Forget party unity. Let’s not even talk about performance nor future directions.

Those are issues for those in the race.

But for the rest of us who style ourselves as pundits, the real issue — in fact the only one — in the PKR election this year is all about debates.

In the race for the party deputy president’s post, incumbent Rafizi Ramli wants to cross swords with his challenger Nurul Izzah Anwar on the rostrum but she thinks it’s a waste of time.

For incumbent Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek, there are better things to do than engage in a war of words with Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, who covets her job.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, there is going to be a walkover for the top job in the youth wing. Kamil Abdul Munim, the current deputy, is the only person who has thrown his hat in the ring.

If only there was a challenger, we — the outsiders — might just have another debate on whether or not there should be a debate.

Politicians love to air their views in public, and the added advantage of an exchange with a rival is irresistible.

One gets to show off his plans, boast about his achievements, make promises he is not inclined to keep.

A gift of the gab goes a long way in helping one make a mark in a debate, but it does not guarantee victory.

Substance is important though it may sometimes be overshadowed by how loud one can get. The point is that one with a booming voice will likely make a bigger — though not necessarily better — impression than one who squeaks like a mouse.

Rafizi is not new to such wranglings in front of an audience. At the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, he was a regular in debate championships.

In the political arena, he faced off with PAS assistant secretary-general and Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Sulaiman in a televised exchange on the economy in August 2023.

That must have been a fight Syahir will not forget in a long time. While his rival spoke off-the-cuff, signalling his grasp of the matter at hand, Syahir had to consult his notes and even a powerpoint presentation, and even then, failed to get some of his points across.

On the other hand, Nurul Izzah has had little experience, if any, on such a platform, a disadvantage that will be all too clear for the audience.

For you and I, throwing verbal punches and jabs would be a fitting end to the weeks of campaigning for an election that may set the future direction (again, not many of us are too enamoured by such rhetoric) of the party.

Many would even go so far as to put their money on the winner eventually making it as the nation’s political top dog. But that may be a bit too early to say.

Nonetheless, the contrast in the views shared by analysts and bystanders must be as sharp as what we will likely see in a Nurul Izzah-Rafizi exchange — if it does happen.

But the clock is ticking away… fast.

Will there be a last-minute change of heart? Will Nurul Izzah decide to take on Rafizi, do or die?

Let’s not have another debate on this.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.