THE scathing criticisms on Khairy Jamaluddin and Mukhriz Mahathir by supporters from opposing camps in the past weeks were just the appetisers.
Now that these two have garnered the required votes to challenge for the Umno Youth Chief leadership, the real battle has begun.
Now that these two have garnered the required votes to challenge for the Umno Youth Chief leadership, the real battle has begun.
The Son in Law-look more indipendentThough a third candidate has qualified - former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo - he doesn't seem to be in the firing line of the other two.
The first salvo came from Mr Khairy, otherwise known as PM Abdullah Badawi's son-in-law.
Predictably, he took aim at his arch rival, Mr Mukhriz, a Jerlun MP and Dr Mahathir Mohamad's son.
On Monday, he poured scorn on Mr Mukhriz, 44, who turned him down for a public debate.
Mr Khairy, the current Umno Youth deputy chief, told Bernama the debate was not for quarrelling.
He insisted it was to provide an avenue for those who qualified for the post to explain their vision.
Said the Rembau MP: 'I am disappointed that Mukhriz is not interested in having an open debate.
'He has made up his mind and there is no point talking about him now,' he told New Straits Times.
'The candidates will only be debating, not tearing each other down. We will debate like gentlemen on issues, facts and opinions. There will be no personal attacks.'
Only Dr Khir has agreed to participate.
It is understandable to see why this debate is important to Mr Khairy.
The one-time 'most powerful 28-year-old' became the underdog because by Sunday, Dr Khir who had been languishing in third place, had not only closed the gap between the top two, but had caught up with Mr Khairy, said The Star.
Daddy Son
Mr Mukhriz has surged ahead with 67 nominations, with Dr Khir and Mr Khairy bagging 47 nominations each.
And Mr Mukhriz's seemingly unstoppable surge in the nominations race for the Umno Youth leadership prompted The Star to describe him as 'some sort of Michael Phelps - unbeatable - as they said of the swimming star during the Beijing Olympics'.
Spurning Mr Khairy's invitation, he told NST it was not suitable for candidates to raise party matters out in the open via a public debate.
Said Mr Mukhriz: 'Contesting posts in a party is an internal matter. This is like a family contest. It is not necessary to draw external attention.
'A public debate will only undermine efforts to strengthen the party, especially if the issues brought up are sensationalised by the opposition.'
Well, he has reason to be confident. Umno delegates reportedly cheered when his name was mentioned for candidacy while Mr Khairy's name was met with 'boos'.
Still, if well executed, such a debate could be Mr Khairy's ace card of charming the masses and trouncing his arch rival. It would be, as he said, a chance for him and others to 'know what their leaders' stands, ideas and abilities are'.
Like boxing match
Already, Malaysian newspapers have likened this battle to a verbal boxing match.
The Malay Mail referred to it as 'games' with set 'rules' and 'players' who have passed the 'preliminary rounds'.
It said Mr Mukhriz goes in with a clear-cut 'brave enough to change' tagline, while Khairy is standing behing the tag of a leader for all Malaysian youths. Dr Khir's stand is a bit unclear but going by what he has been doing, he seems to be going on a broader platform of 'anything and everything goes'.
So aggressive is Mr Khairy in getting a debate going, you might be forgiven to think a real punch-up was about to take place.
For example, responding to a question of whether this debate would be taped or televised, he said: 'I am open to anything. I just want to know the time, date and venue and I'll come.'
He rated his chances as 'okay.', adding that he 'look(s) forward to campaigning hard'.
The debate idea drew mixed reactions from Umno supreme council members.
Supporting it, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, even suggested it be implemented for those eyeing senior positions like the Umno deputy presidency, Wanita, Youth and Puteri chief posts.
Throwing caution, Datuk Shahidan Kassim stressed that it should be done behind closed doors 'for Umno members in a family spirit'.
Whatever the case, Mr Mukhriz should not be smiling yet. Some delegates fear the long campaign period to the March elections could be marred by money politics and dirty tactics - the end result could be vastly different.
What about Mr Khairy?
As far as PAS-owned Harakah newspaper is concerned, the end of PM Abdullah's reign will weaken Mr Khairy's influence.
In its commentary, it said: '..those who reign should not forget, that however powerful one may be now, however slick one's politics are, it is best to remember the saying, sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga (even the squirrel who is an expert jumper can fall to the ground).'