What price honesty?

IN DISGUISE: Stock market also has its share of ‘liars and cheats’

LET'S forget about the ringgit being the second best Asian currency vis-a-vis the US dollar so far this year, Petronas striking oil onshore for the first time in 24 years or the rising optimism in Malaysia due to its resilient economy ( See our Page 1 stories).

Generally, let's not talk about business and the economy for a while. And please allow this column to talk about Luis Suarez and his honesty (or cheat, as interpreted by many non-Liverpool fans).

Suarez has been chastised for his admission to diving during a recent interview with a South American media. His admission that he had "invented" a dive against Stoke City gives ammunition to the British media to further exploit the "Suarez brand".

Suarez, who joined Britain's most successful club in January 2011, is perhaps the finest Liverpool Number 7 player since Kenny Daglish wore that jersey and ran riot against English Premier League club defenders many years ago.

His trickery and skills mesmerised football fans week in week out, making him a hot candidate to win the coming EPL Player of the Year 2012.

The British media arguably prefers stories with negative Suarez headlines than those of his stunning exploits on the pitch, as they attract more readers.

So, not surprisingly, after he owned up to his mistake, there were more pitch forks and torches than compliments being hurled at the Uruguay-born striker.

All of a sudden honesty is not a good trait. Is it not noble for one to come clean anymore? Do we value honesty in every aspect of life except football? Are we saying one must not admit his mistake, as doing so will tarnish the person and his club's image?

An unwelcomed outcome is that Suarez has now been branded a cheat by some, although it must be stressed that he does not deserve such a label.

Cheating is synonymous with lying. Like it or not, it is a frequent occurrence, even in the local stock market.

In Bursa Malaysia, lies and cheating are generally in the guise of "rumours" and "speculation", invented by the so-called market perpetrators.

It is not uncommon when companies repeatedly have to deny knowledge of any activity that has caused sharp price movements or active trading of their shares.

The local stock market, like other bourses in the world, partially thrives on rumours and specula-tion. But to be frank, it is tough to apprehend "cheats, liars or perpetrators" in a market culture that thrives on rumours and specu-lation.