RM10 billion or RM100 billion?

Following the explosive allegation by the author of “Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times”, the launching of the book was delayed with some obstacle from the Home Ministry.

The author Barry Wain alleged former premier Tun Mahathir squandered RM100 billion during his administration, severe enough for Home Ministry to intervene.

It said this is to ensure that the book would not affect the prevailing peace and stability in the country, even though Mahathir via his blog, urging the Government not to withhold the book as he is not in need of the Government protection.

He is also bold enough to welcome the suggestion by DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang to setup a royal commission to probe the allegation, showing his determination to prove that he is not guilty as charged and threatened to sue Barry Wain, Lim Kit Siang and Malaysiakini.com for libel.

Hence, I’m totally puzzled by Home Ministry’s decision to take 60 days to study the content, more likely awaiting decision from someone at higher authority to give the green light as you certainly do not read 60 days to “study the content”.

The Government should be wise enough to understand that, even if the final decision is a no go, that wouldn’t stop the content of the book to be published on the internet, and if that’s the case, does that mean any website or blog who decides to publish the book will be sued by the Government in the name of “affecting the prevailing peace and stability in the country”?

Malaysians nowadays are well educated and wise to evaluate and decide if the allegation holds water, after all, in this transparent age, everyone has the right to enjoy the freedom of information, where it’s a universal right which shouldn’t be denied by any country which is deemed to be practicing democracy.