By Syed Azwan Syed Ali
KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The controversy on the posting of semi-nude pictures of a Selangor state executive councillor in the internet recently, and then, the resurfacing of a sex video involving a former cabinet minister, have created a polemic on eastern values and moral principles among the people.
Since then, issues on morality has become a hot topic of conversation, not only in coffee shops and offices, but also in cyber space.
While some demand those involved to resign, there are many who regard the matter as personal and an intrusion of one's privacy and private rights, while some claim that it is a political conspiracy.
The question, however, is whether the moral standing of a leader does have a bearing on his/her leadership and integrity.
"Morals and integrity are important for a leader, as people say, the freshness of a fish begins from the head," political analyst Associate Prof Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) told Bernama here.
Moral or "moralitas" in Latin, means a code of conduct which is held to be authoritative in matters of right and wrong.
Referring to Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, whose pictures were posted in the internet, Mohammad Agus said her case was a moral issue.
"The reason being that the other person was allowed to enter (her house/room). Meanwhile, defecting to another party is also a moral issue because it is unethical," he added.
Following the circulation of her semi-nude pictures, Wong, has offered to resign as state executive councillor and assemblyman.
Until now, the Selangor government led by the opposition coalition views Wong's case as an intrusion of her private rights and not a question of her moral standing, besides claiming that it was planned by Barisan Nasional.
Prior to Wong's case, the then health minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was forced to resign as a cabinet minister, as well as his post in MCA, when a video of him having sex with a woman was widely circulated.
Despite the bru-ha-ha over their morality, the opposition coalition - DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS, continue to support Wong, and likewise the MCA members also gave their support to Dr Chua, who made a comeback in MCA after winning the party's deputy presidency.
The question is what are the rationale and lessons from these incidents.
"Everybody makes mistakes. What is more important is whether they want to change and make amends," a sociologist from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Dr Lee Yok Fee said.
On Dr Chua's return to MCA, he said it was a decision made by the party members and did not reflect the views of the masses, adding that the interpretation on morality varies from one person to another.
"For example, it is normal to bathe nude, but if a person sits naked watching television alone (and the neighbours get to know about it), that has to do with psychological problem," he added.
He said it was an individual's private rights to do what he/she liked as long as the action did not disturb others.
A voter in Bandar Tun Razak said the results of the 12th general election clearly indicated the type of leadership the people wanted.
"If we want leaders with integrity, not corrupt, who do not abuse their power, do not neglect the people, we must elect those with moral," he added.
However, for veteran politician and the Association of Malaysian Muslim Lawyers president, Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, he said the question of morality should be based on religious teachings.
He said a leader's morality and integrity should not be regarded as personal because, like celebrities, they belonged to the public.
They should be role models for the people, he added.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The controversy on the posting of semi-nude pictures of a Selangor state executive councillor in the internet recently, and then, the resurfacing of a sex video involving a former cabinet minister, have created a polemic on eastern values and moral principles among the people.
Since then, issues on morality has become a hot topic of conversation, not only in coffee shops and offices, but also in cyber space.
While some demand those involved to resign, there are many who regard the matter as personal and an intrusion of one's privacy and private rights, while some claim that it is a political conspiracy.
The question, however, is whether the moral standing of a leader does have a bearing on his/her leadership and integrity.
"Morals and integrity are important for a leader, as people say, the freshness of a fish begins from the head," political analyst Associate Prof Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) told Bernama here.
Moral or "moralitas" in Latin, means a code of conduct which is held to be authoritative in matters of right and wrong.
Referring to Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, whose pictures were posted in the internet, Mohammad Agus said her case was a moral issue.
"The reason being that the other person was allowed to enter (her house/room). Meanwhile, defecting to another party is also a moral issue because it is unethical," he added.
Following the circulation of her semi-nude pictures, Wong, has offered to resign as state executive councillor and assemblyman.
Until now, the Selangor government led by the opposition coalition views Wong's case as an intrusion of her private rights and not a question of her moral standing, besides claiming that it was planned by Barisan Nasional.
Prior to Wong's case, the then health minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was forced to resign as a cabinet minister, as well as his post in MCA, when a video of him having sex with a woman was widely circulated.
Despite the bru-ha-ha over their morality, the opposition coalition - DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS, continue to support Wong, and likewise the MCA members also gave their support to Dr Chua, who made a comeback in MCA after winning the party's deputy presidency.
The question is what are the rationale and lessons from these incidents.
"Everybody makes mistakes. What is more important is whether they want to change and make amends," a sociologist from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Dr Lee Yok Fee said.
On Dr Chua's return to MCA, he said it was a decision made by the party members and did not reflect the views of the masses, adding that the interpretation on morality varies from one person to another.
"For example, it is normal to bathe nude, but if a person sits naked watching television alone (and the neighbours get to know about it), that has to do with psychological problem," he added.
He said it was an individual's private rights to do what he/she liked as long as the action did not disturb others.
A voter in Bandar Tun Razak said the results of the 12th general election clearly indicated the type of leadership the people wanted.
"If we want leaders with integrity, not corrupt, who do not abuse their power, do not neglect the people, we must elect those with moral," he added.
However, for veteran politician and the Association of Malaysian Muslim Lawyers president, Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, he said the question of morality should be based on religious teachings.
He said a leader's morality and integrity should not be regarded as personal because, like celebrities, they belonged to the public.
They should be role models for the people, he added.
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