I have three comments on the Dr Chua Soi Lek scandal.

1. Public's attitude towards public interest vs morals

From the discussion on the sex scandal of Chua Soi Lek, it is obvious that the public wants a politician with high morals. However, moral values are more personal compared to other values like honesty or fairness. It is good that the public are concerned about what the former health minister has done, but they do not show as much attention as to the judicial and corruption scandals, etc.

To judge a politician, we do need a standard which includes both public interest and personal morals. It is very encouraging that Chua has set a precedent in resigning for his mistake. Other representatives who are guilty of corruption, assault or sexist remarks are very much encouraged to follow this precedent.

Unfortunately, the public is not mature enough to see that there is a much more urgent need to ask those who are corrupted, sexist or racist representative to resign.

2. Right to privacy

Most of the attention given by the media and the public is on the sexual affair itself but they seldom ask who took the video? Does Chua not have privacy because he is an member of parliament? Although some may see that the Lingam tape scandal as also invading lawyer VK Lingam's privacy, I think this issue is of public interest as the judiciary is a very important institution.

Chua’s sex scandal does not have such a direct impact on such important institutions.

3. Does marriage accommodate extramarital affairs?

Chua's scandal definitely has hurt his wife and children. Although his wife has forgiven him, it does not mean that his sexual affair is correct or just a ‘minor mistake’.

For me, a marriage is only working if there is respect for and responsibility to the family and the spouse. Spouses need a frank and sincere relationship where both of them can support and love each other. The question of whether a spouse accepts his or her partner’s needs will need frank discussion but it cannot be automatically assumed that this is acceptable in a marriage.

Although Chua admitted his mistake, blaming it on a political rival who wants to completely destroy him is neglecting the seriousness of his mistake. His mistake is not going to the same hotel but in hurting his wife and children. It bad that his political rivals used such a nasty way to destroy him, but Chua’s mistake in engaging in an extramarital affair cannot be neglected.