I have my highest respect for political leaders like MCA deputy chief Lim Ah Lek who dares publicly admit that his relationship with the party president, Dr Ling Liong Sik, has been damaged irreparably. He admitted that the rift has existed for a long time and he did not want to lie to the public by saying otherwise.

This is a statement from a statesperson. Ling, on the other hand, twisted the facts by pretending otherwise. Political leaders should not resort to badmouthing others, but to resort to telling lies is equally immoral.

This may well be the trend among present-day politicians in Malaysia but it is not something that goes down well with the better informed masses today. Do not treat us like fools who will believe everything. Be adult enough to tell the truth.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not the best of examples, of course, as he had many times told us otherwise when his relationship soured with his then deputy Musa Hitam, former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Now, is Ling taking us for a ride again by pretending that nothing is seriously wrong with his party? He should be man enough to tell the truth like Lim, or even like MIC president S Samy Vellu who is known for being outspoken. Tell the real story; do not make up stories.

This letter is not just about the MCA split. It is about politicians who think they can feed us lies and get away with it. It can be so patronising when they think the rakyat cannot see through their lies.