Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin delivered a speech today which repeatedly emphasised on the need to speak the truth.

Before presenting the ITBM-PENA-BH II Literature Awards at his official residence in Putrajaya, he quoted a poem by national laureate Muhammad Salleh titled " berkata-katalah " (speak).

"This poem reminds me of the Quranic verse from surah al-Isra'.

"The verse advises us to speak with kind words and the truth," he said.

This comes hot on the heels of Muhyiddin expressing support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad when the latter claimed that he was alone in the quest to uncover the truth about Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Muhyiddin ( left ) explained that the verse acted as a guide for Muslims so that they can avoid the "whispers of Satan" which may lead to misunderstanding and conflicts.

Admitting that speaking cannot be deemed the same as writing, Muhyiddin said both, nevertheless, were from the same source, which is the mind that produces knowledge.

Truth can be bitter

As such, Muhyiddin believes that writers had a big responsibility, which is to tell the truth through their writing.

He, however, admitted that the truth is not necessarily sweet, and in fact, is usually bitter to state.

"But a true writer would still talk about the truth and would never spread anything that is false through his or her writing.

"I hope writers would continue to state the painful truth and not beautiful lies," he said.

Muhyiddin on Saturday said standing up and telling the truth was Mahathir's trademark, especially when he spoke against Western superpowers waging war.