Now, I hold a candle for Chua Soi Lek

In his recent book, Dr Chua Soi Lek detailed how his misadventure in a Batu Bahat hotel 12 years ago was secretly filmed by his enemies in MCA.

In politics, your worst enemies are the ones from within, not those you are wary of outside but the Brutuses inside your own party. In Chua’s case, this is most glaring. The former MCA president and health minister was stabbed in the back by his own party people.

If Chua is offended by this opening of an old wound he would rather forget, I apologise. I also understand if others feel that I have been disrespectful of the former minister for writing on this subject.

However, I have no intention to disparage Chua’s personal character. Rather, I salute him for coming out clean and owned up to his mistake. It takes a man of great courage, honesty and integrity to admit where he has gone wrong, even at the expense of his political career. Today, I sincerely hold a candle for Chua and accord him due respect for his honesty. You are a real man, Dr Chua.

I would not say the same for other politicians and public figures who were also caught with their pants down or for other sexual indiscretions. How many have we witnessed over the past 20 years? To be honest, I’ve lost count.

None emerged the way we wish they would, as Chua did. And what did we hear instead – denials and more denials! In this, Chua stood head and shoulders above the rest.

I consider denials by politicians, in cases proven to be true and factual later, the worst form of political misbehaviour which we should all strongly abhor. It is self-serving, manipulative and negative. It emphasises the use of power and influence to obtain desired outcomes for the politician’s own gain. Public interest is never considered but totally ignored.

The outcomes of such political behaviours include conflict and disharmony among leaders and members of the political party involved. One group will be wasting time and resources on damage control while another will probably be planning more covert stings to finish off their intended target.

The situation is made worse if allegations of sexual misconduct involve leaders of the ruling government, like a senior minister in the cabinet. Again, take the case of Chua as an example. Had he denied involvement, I doubt he would be able to concentrate on his responsibilities as health minister.

So, let us not allow any minister, suspected of involvement in sexual trysts, fool us if he says that he isn’t letting unfounded allegations against him distract him from carrying out his duties. Oh really, is he as perfect as God?

I would want to pose this question too: What about the thing called conscience? Does it prick you at all?

Who is the ultimate loser if a minister, who receives a salary from taxpayers’ money, is unable to perform his public duties because he is distracted by his personal issues? The innocent citizen, of course.

Many may not be counting the costs what such denials from the politicians involved have incurred at the public’s expense. The man-hours spent by the police and other authorities in investigating the cases. When the cases are brought before the court, start counting the costs of the work involving the DPPs, judges, lawyers and court staff.

Who is paying for all these? You and I. Seriously, spare a thought to this. Are we not idiots and fools to have to pay for the misbehaviour of those holding public office? We certainly deserve better leaders.

My contention is this. If government officials, in both elected and appointed positions, have been publicly reported for sexual misconduct, the only honourable thing for them to do is to go on leave. If they refuse to do this voluntarily, they must be suspended indefinitely until they are proven innocent.

I am not a politician and I am not interested in the intrigues of party and partisan politics. I have no desire to take sides. I have heard and read more than enough of what’s going on in the latest episode of the sexual kind enveloping the nation for the past week.

If one party involved has been suspended from his duties as a government official, then the same action must be taken against the other party. Let there be no double standard, please.

Our leaders whom we have entrusted with the power to rule over us must always bear one thing in mind. The overall interests of the nation and Malaysians are more important than the political career of a minister whose moral character and integrity are seriously in doubt.

If our badminton star, Lee Chong Wei, is considered one in a million, I would place Chua Soi Lek in the “one in a thousand” category among Malaysian politicians.

Lee united us on the badminton court while Chua, with his honesty and foresight, saved Malaysians much pain, blushes and costs. Again, I salute you, Dr Chua.

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com - Mkini