However, the advancement of technology also has a big downside as we recently witnessed in the supposedly Anwar sex video scandal. Technology is misused to create slander and spread lies. This development is certainly unhealthy for our democracy as the ability to reach an informed decision on who is the best to lead is imperative to a functioning democracy. With lies and slander at the forefront of our political space, blinding the masses with incorrect facts, one wonder how can the people reach the correct informed decision.
Even in a better functioning democracies like in the US and UK, where lies and slander can be countered by disseminating the correct information( as media is free there, unlike here), forget about lies and slander, even the tampering of fact led to Americans and Brits in endorsing leaders that brought them to two costly wars that people from both sides later regretted( Bush won in the 2004 reelection and Blair's Labour Party also won at the 2005 General Election).
Malaysians irrespective of political affiliation must denounce this act and call for politics that are based on merit and values where one ability to lead and values like integrity and honesty be the measuring stick for potential office bearers. For this to happen, all Malaysians must reject any politics that can impair the ability to judge the candidates merit and values like slander politics, race politics and many more.
Having said that, doesn't mean that we should ignore the claims of "Datuk T", rather we incorporate in speech and deed in ourselves and others the principle of justice like innocent until proven guilty and everyone has a right to defend themselves from any accusation in a court of law( I will also add outside too). Not forgetting another Important principle of justice, the concept of supremacy and rule of law meaning the law is below no one including the opposition leader. If found guilty fairly, he should step down from any posts and face the punishment accorded by law.
In echoing the stand by controverisal blogger, Raja Petra, "Datuk T" must not be prosecuted either as it is important that whistle blowers be protected by law so that other whistle blowers will not fear for the legal consequences if they reveal discrepancies of whatever sort. However, if the allegation is proven to be a lie, then they should be punished for their action of making false accusation and fabricating evidence against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Hopefully that in doing so, it will deter others in engaging in such acts, so that the honour of individuals will be respected in this country.
In conclusion, we should not support nor engage in slander politics and embrace merit and values politics. Anwar is shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty. It's time we drop the kind of politics that are practice by third world countries an adopt the development world kind of politics, in line with our aspiration to be a develop nation. Hopefully we can achieve that in full, physically, mentally, emotionally( I might add spiritually) and not just partially. Only then we can truly prosper and excel in the long run. Sent by DiGi from my BlackBerry® Smartphone
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