In the wake of PH winning the election and forming the Government, there is a rush for change to be done because it is way overdue. Of course, there is a case to be made for why changes need to be done asap, especially with a 100 days promise hanging like the Sword of Damocles. This is what the Rakyat want and the mandate was given because of the promise that change will happen. Therefore, it is understandable the mood that has caught the nation is one of cleaning up and repairing.

However, I also notice a very worrying trend. People are becoming overzealous with the cleaning and repairing spirit that culling is becoming the mode of the day. By definition, culling is the reduction of a population by selective slaughter. It is not by nature or by the rule of law but by selection. It begs then the answer to the question ”Selection by whom?” The simple answer is of course by the powerful and in this climate of ours, it is the Rakyat.

The danger now is that the culling is masked by the notion of cleaning and repairing when in actual fact it is not. We now hear of people ‘exposing’ this and that and it has begun to be the trend of the day. And more and more people are jumping on the bandwagon. In this euphoria, we need to be extra wary of the intention of the expose. Some could be true but some might not. Just because an expose is done at the time of this huge call for change doesn’t mean it is the truth. We must be extra cautious that right now, in this climate of eagerness for cleaning and repairing, rumours can become reality, fable can become facts, gossips can become gospel and accusations can become accuracy.

Case in point is the recent HRDF townhall where claims upon claims were made about HRDF unfair and questionable practices as well as certain irregularities. I for one am privy to the personality of a few of those that have been accused as well as the accusers. Yes, we don’t really know everything about anyone yet once we know someone for some length of time, we do have a resemblance of their principles and values. If there is indeed a case to be made, let the rule of law takes its course. In saying this, the accuser should also follow the rule of law and use the proper channels and procedure. An accusation made in a public forum in the climate of cleaning and repairing that we are in can be more damaging than previous times just as Steve Young says  “Perception is the reality. If you are perceived to be something, you might as well be it because that’s the truth in people’s minds.” Therefore, in this case, I am also curious to investigate what is the motive of the accusers such that the claims are made in a public forum with such fervour. Could there be another story that is hidden and yet to be told? There are always two sides to a story, at least.

I take stock of what Nietzsche said about interpretation, “All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.” Calm and level-headedness are needed at this time of great change.

Therefore, let us take a cautionary approach to cleaning and repairing so that in our overzealousness we do not become the very essence of what causes us to need to clean and repair in the first place because of the power we have and have forgotten the truth that we seek.