The blaze of publicity revealing the real-estate transgressions of Klang assemblyperson Zakaria Mat Deros has come as a rare beacon of hope to Malaysians disenchanted with being kept so long and deeply in the dark about the shady deals of the privileged and politically-connected.

It not only seems a promising sign, but comes at a highly propitious time. At the confluence of Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, and Hari Raya, the season of fresh beginnings, a shining example of the brilliant results that can be achieved by truth and transparency.

And, by happy coincidence, Reporters Without Borders has, at the same time, ranked Malaysia 21 places higher than last year in its World Press Freedom Report for 2006.