MY comment on the debate between Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek is not on the debate itself, but on the backdrop.

The word "debat", if in English, is spelt wrongly; if in Bahasa Malaysia, isn't there a Bahasa Malaysia word for "debate", bahas/perbahasan?

If there is an original Bahasa Malaysia word for an idea, concept or object, is there a need to coin an English-sounding term for it?

Perhaps this is one aspect that we can have another public debate on and discuss, in a civilised and rational way, the pros and cons of using Anglo-type words where original Bahasa Malaysia words exist.

I can foresee that if there are more of such public debates on many more issues that are related to the welfare and well-being of the nation, the positive outcome would be an improvement in the standard of debate in Parliament, from the crude shouting matches to civilised discussions of substance.