It is too prevalent now those who highlight malfeasance, poor governance, corruption and abuse of power are subjected to investigation while those who are being accused of wrong doings have escaped investigation.
This is not how the basics of transparency are supposed to work. It is wrong to keep stifling the rights of the people to highlight concerns of public interests, regardless of our political leaning.
Granted that there may be allegations that are wild, unjustified or inaccurate, we must still provide greater flexibility and leeway for the people.
The cardinal principle is those who hold public office must subjected themselves to greater degree of monitoring and scrutiny. They are well equipped to defence themselves given the resources at their disposal and the power of incumbency. If some of the accusations are not justified or untrue, the best defence is for them to disprove publicly the actual situations prevailing in organisations under their charge.
What could be more effective than letting the truth to do the talking? Public officials and those entrusted with public money have access to media too just like anyone else. They could easily counterpunch point for point all the accusations made if truth is with them.
I sincerely believe there is no necessity for any authority to get involved. Why the need to investigate whether an allegation is true or false? Let the accusers and the public officials sort it out using whatever evidence and resources they have and the truth shall prevail. In the US, politicians running for public office are subjected to all kinds of allegations without having the recourse to retaliate. They could only counter the accusations with their versions of truth. The people shall be the final arbiter.
I believe all rational Malaysians yearn for better governance. We want less corruption, less wastage and less abuse of power. In any system of government, it is never easy to gather information on wrong doings and abuse of power. We must therefore allow the people a greater leeway to highlight whatever wrongs they come to know. If public officials have done no wrong, there is no fear or no reputation lost. All they need is to disprove the allegations and put the accusers to shame. – November 24, 2015.
*TK Chua reads The Malaysian Insider.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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