Steven C.M. Wong in his New Straits Times column, CHISEL & STONE writes: Let's give debate a chance over dogma.
Steven voices his concern regarding the information propagation perceptions and practices of Malaysia:
For one reason or another, this country appears to have grown into one where facts do not matter, only opinions do. Not just that, but opinions have to be expressed in the most opinionated, i.e., unbalanced manner, accepting no discussion and brooking no challenge...
Information challenges our worldview. It is difficult to continue to remain closed and closeted when barraged by facts and data that contradict our values, beliefs and attitudes. It is in hermetically sealed hothouses of ideas that political and religious extremism are bred, not in open and interactive ones. If we want to fight doctrinaire positions, this is the way to do it.
Vision 2020 was far-sighted enough to recognise this and thus identified our need to become an information-rich society. Realising the Vision, however, is not merely the acceptance of the concept. It is the building of a whole superstructure of facilities and faculties. It is the restoration of the privilege to question and the right to demur. However much we would wish it, we cannot be an information-rich society without this...
K-Collector