DBKL can defuse temple storm with truthfulness

DBKL can defuse temple storm with truthfulness


24 Mar 2025 • 10:02 AM MYT


Citizen Nades
A legally qualified journalist and a good governance champion

Photo Credit: Malay Mail


The origins of the “truth deficiency syndrome” can be traced to the heydays of the 1MDB scandal, when the then BN government tried to hide the mammoth losses to protect those involved.


I then wrote: “We are being continuously fed with half-truths and misinformation, so much so that not many members of the public have any faith in the accuracy of government statements and announcements. Malaysians are prevented from making an educated, well-informed, and precise opinion.”


This was followed by a letter to the then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin: “As you are aware, the nation is suffering from the effects of the coronavirus, but what is more contagious is a disease called the ‘truth deficiency syndrome’, which brought the BN government down almost two years ago. With the change in May 2018, it was contained, but whatever traces remain are imploding without control.”


Malaysians thought that in 2022, the incoming government, led by Anwar Ibrahim, would eradicate this disease by stopping its spread.


Sadly, little has been done to disseminate accurate information to the public. Truth deficiency syndrome has spawned a series of strains, some of which, if not treated immediately, could turn into an epidemic.


Holding back the bitter pill


We continue to be bombarded with all kinds of information except the truth, and in its absence, reliance on social media rubbish has become a Malaysian trait.


There are cures - tested and proven - but the powers-that-be are not interested in dispensing them - depending on the status.


Instead, the carriers are advised or counselled, and in more severe cases, there have been warnings and admonishment, hoping at least one will work.


These non-invasive remedies have exacerbated the problem, and other strains have emerged and are spreading uncontrollably.


Most of the carriers are politicians, and for some reason or another, they are not treated and are not allowed to continue spreading the disease. That’s because they are afforded preferential treatment.


“Favourititis”, equally contagious, is spread when two or more people suffer from the same disease and are all treated differently.


One is put in isolation immediately, while the other is counselled and sent home to continue the spread, and the third with tender-loving parting words: “Please do not spread the disease.”


Hence, without dispensing the cure, the virus tends to reproduce faster and further, infecting people throughout the country.


Under these circumstances, it becomes an uphill task to contain the virus. The manner in which the “movement control order” (used five years ago during the Covid-19 outbreak) was enforced must be replicated.


The disease can be spread nationwide by individuals sitting in the comfort of their home or office, using their fingers on the keyboard, or speaking on the screen before them.


Only one part of the body is affected - the mind. Containing the spread is not tricky, but there is a problem.


Law enforcers, for reasons better known to themselves, are refusing to prescribe the bitter bill that will isolate infected persons, preferably in a small cell.


Politicians the biggest offenders


Disease carriers must be rounded up and isolated, and access to gadgets should be denied. But will there be political will to do this?


Especially so when an annual study on racism by civil society group Pusat Komas recorded 28 cases involving federal lawmakers in Parliament, the highest portion out of a total of 73 cases recorded last year.


The incidents were monitored based on live parliamentary proceedings and the official Hansard.


“Based on the incidents, it was found that the MPs have used racial and religious sentiment in their speeches, placing subtle and/or overt hints of racial superiority, stereotyping, prejudice, and misinformation of existing laws,” according to the Pusat Komas Malaysia Racism Report 2024.

Photo Credit: Malay Mail


After the socks and ham issues, for which hundreds of man-hours were wasted, we are still embroiled in another problem these days - the relocation of a Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur.


Anwar did no one any favours by claiming that the temple was occupying the land illegally. This earned a rebuke from certain quarters who put the present imbroglio on the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).


Anwar’s diatribe included a scathing attack on lawyers representing the temple.


“The problem is when (there are) those who take advantage of religious sentiments, including those who are Hindu.


“For example, there are lawyers who were never involved in Hindu religious affairs who also became champions and made rash comments, such as (suggesting that the temple would be) demolished.”


Then, taking Anwar’s words to be the truth, Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Salleh joined the charade by making an idiotic statement and shooting his mouth.


Malaysians want the truth


This issue, even if resolved amicably, is a prime example of our administrators - the DBKL is remaining silent or trying to point fingers to avoid taking the blame.


Many differing explanations have been provided to dispel the notion that the temple is occupying the land illegally.


Why can’t an official statement outline the events that led to the sale of the land? Or is it under the impression that it can avoid opening a Pandora’s Box of land deals and other disreputable transactions by remaining opaque?


While Anwar advocates and continues to talk about transparency and accountability, DBKL has retreated into a cocoon, like a guilty party.


Malaysians want to know the truth from the horse’s mouth, not rely on half-baked news and half-truths on social media and from blinkered politicians who have been not generous with the truth.