Politicians and sexual misconduct

Should politicians be made to account?

After the most explosive exposure of photos of former Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek indulging in various sexual postures with a woman, that later led to his admission and resignation, the latest scandal which involved the nude photos of another politician, this time, a Selangor Executive Councillor Elizabeth Wong, has raised a lot of questions as to what constitutes acceptable behaviour and decency among our politicians.

Elizabeth who has since tearfully offered her resignation from public office, despite her fellow politicians in the Opposition jumping to her defence, calling it gutter politics of their political enemies, may have done the honorable thing, by offering to give up her Assembly seat and Exco post.

There has been an outpouring of public sympathies for her, especially from women, including those from the other side of the political divide. Is she a victim of naked politics?

In her own words “… I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law and I stand by the fundamental principle in a democracy that everyone has a right to privacy.”

The general consensus is that Malaysian politics has become a game of distractions and has also degenerated into a very distasteful standard. In Elizabeth’s case, she insists she has done no wrong yet she is said to have paid more attention to the issue of morality rather than on a gross intrusion of her privacy.

Should we hold all politicians, especially those who hold public posts, to account and to behave at all times, in addition to showing exemplary conduct?