I refer to the Malaysiakini report Chua: I'm the one in sex video .

I suppose if you are caught with your pants down by hidden cameras having sex with another woman, the best defence you can give is to admit your mistake and hopefully your sexual escapade will be forgiven by all.

History is full of stories of great men in politics who fall from grace due to ‘the other woman’ and our politicians don’t seem to learn the lesson that adultery is not only a cardinal sin in the eye of the Almighty but that being a public figure, one should lead a clean life as an example for others to follow.

To be fair to the health minister, he is not expected to be a saint. But although we are not appointing saints to high office in the coming polls, one would question their ability to lead the nation if they cannot even have the high moral values as an example to others. If they cannot be a good role model for their families, how can they be good role models for the other people in this country?

Chua’s sexual escapade is the latest scandal which will be an issue used by the opposition parties in the coming polls. It is unbecoming of a cabinet minister to remain in office if his private life doesn’t reflect the virtues demanded for his high office and therefore it is only fitting that Chua has resigned from the cabinet.

Being public figures in society, leaders should know that their political opponents - both inside and outside the party - will try to bring them down by any means. To use women as a bait to entice politicians to let their guard down has been a proven method to bring the latter down.

Just ask the former chief minsters of Malacca and Selangor who had to leave their high offices just based on rumours of their illicit sex affairs with other women beside their wives. Sex outside marriage is not permissible in Asian societies especially by those holding the fort.