I refer to the controversy over Ctos and the action being taken against it to pressure it to 'toe the line' or close down.

'Knowledge is power', as the saying goes, and I am inclined to suspect that the reason why Ctos is suddenly facing such action after being in business for so many years is not so much to do with complaints from the public (which I do not dispute) but because politicians have realised that their financial backgrounds are freely available to anyone - including their rivals.

With elections coming, there must be a fear that being able to get information on the financial background of a politician - especially if he has been a bankrupt before - is something dangerous. Such information could then become a weapon to use to discredit an aspiring candidate.

But let's face it - Ctos has facts which are from legitimate sources. If they are not updated, then it is up to the individuals to provide clarification. This is what transparency is all about. Those who are shouting the loudest to close down Ctos and other similar companies must have something to hide. If they are in positions of power in the government, it is convenient and seemingly appropriate that they are acting 'on behalf of the rakyat'.

More sickening is how there seem to be efforts to persuade individuals who have experienced difficulties in getting loans to blame Ctos. Of course, this can't be proven but why the sudden increase in complaints? Why didn't these people speak to the press earlier or approach Ctos to update their data?

On another related matter, if the banks are ordered to get the consent of loan applicants to check on their background, that is fine but if someone refuses to give consent, do you think a bank will be agreeable to approve the loan? So in creating this new regulation, it is the government that will be causing greater difficulties to the rakyat because before, their financial history was checked as a matter of procedure and the decision made by the bank after considering all information available.

Now a person who thinks that something in his financial history may disqualify him may be unwilling to give consent. It would only raise suspicions and could well give rise to corrupt practices as those who approve loans are induced to approve them even without any proper data to back their decision.

I am extremely disgusted by the way the government is using 'dirty tactics' to force Ctos to close down (there are many other companies that don't display signs too). At some other time, when there is no election ahead, the real issues would probably be the subject of a study and review with new procedures being formulated.