When silence is the norm, but helps no one

I refer to your news comment by Adrian Tan in Today paper of 14 June, entitled "When silence is the norm, but helps no one".

Adrian Tan referred to recent cases involving a few listed companies that are being investigated by the Commercial Affairs Department. The managers and investigators remained silent about what was happening. The investors were caught holding the shares, and did not know what to do with them.

Adrian Tan suggested that a panel of wise people be formed to help decide on what information could be displosed to the investing public.

I strongly support this suggestion. The panel can help to clear the following uncertainty:

- Who should decide? Yes, the panel.

- How to decide when things are uncertain? The decision is made through discussion, judgement and by majority of the panel.

We have to accept that many issues are not clear cut, and some decision has to be taken. We cannot wait until things are certain. We cannot procrastinate.

In America, many issues involving the public are debated over television. This is a healthy process in dealing with diverse views. I hope to see this done more actively in Singapore.