Net rumour that Yaw Shin Leong having extra-maritial affair

[Mdm Koh]

HVR:

I believe a person who is morally unsound is more likely to succumb to temptation and vice. If a politician is morally unsound, I don't trust he or she will do his or her utmost best to push for sound policies that will benefit the public at large.

The late Goh Keng Swee divorced his wife and married his subordinate, whom, it was rumoured, he had been having an affair with for many years. Yet he is remembered today as an honorable leader who did much for Singapore.

I must admit I never had a good impression of Yaw Shin Leong even before the news broke. What he did was definitely morally wrong, but I think we should give him credit for seeking church counselling and working on his marriage. At the very least, he is not a quitter.

I may be wrong, but I think Singaporeans jump on opposition party scandals more so than they do for PAP scandals.

[BlueBells]

Just thinking aloud … Would you sue for libel and defamation if it is false? Reputation at stake, more so for people in the government.

[toddles]

HVR:

Oppsgal:

If own husband/wife, kids or relatives have affairs then cannot close eyes or ears. But other people not related in anyway, why bother?

Should I bother? Don't forget these 'other people' are in the position to influence policies, if not make policies. Affair is but one manifestation of their inability to observe moral value, you trust them despite so? Without the internal moral compass, you are sure they will not compromise public interest for their own personal benefit if an opportunity arises?

Are you sure other people's extral marital affair have no impact on us? From what's transpired here I won't be surprised one day it is common for married couple to have affair because 'the affair did not affect their work', 'they are still able to contribute' and largely they realise it is acceptable to the society to have affair! One day, our children will come to us and say they don't bother to get married because after getting married also can have affair. One by one and slowly, we will be pushing the boundary and I dread to imagine what will become of our country.

I believe a person who is morally unsound is more likely to succumb to temptation and vice. If a politician is morally unsound, I don't trust he or she will do his or her utmost best to push for sound policies that will benefit the public at large.

Just some comments on the part I bolded.

Well, to a large extent it's already happening today. Many people my generation can't be bothered to get married. Either from their own parents' divorces or what they observe of the world around them, you just live with whoever you like, don't have children, switch partners switch homes as an when. That's their life.

[Lilac66]

Mdm Koh:

HVR:

I believe a person who is morally unsound is more likely to succumb to temptation and vice. If a politician is morally unsound, I don't trust he or she will do his or her utmost best to push for sound policies that will benefit the public at large.

The late Goh Keng Swee divorced his wife and married his subordinate, whom, it was rumoured, he had been having an affair with for many years. Yet he is remembered today as an honorable leader who did much for Singapore.

I must admit I never had a good impression of Yaw Shin Leong even before the news broke. What he did was definitely morally wrong, but I think we should give him credit for seeking church counselling and working on his marriage. At the very least, he is not a quitter.

I may be wrong, but I think Singaporeans jump on opposition party scandals more so than they do for PAP scandals.

Blame it on social media, that's why the \"rumor\" on YSL spreads like wild fire. I believe not many knew about GKS's case until after his death, correct me if I'm wrong.

[Angelight]

I share the same sentiments as 3Boys and HVR. I don’t care the MP is from ruling or opp. parties, but if you are a politician, then you are expected to uphold a certain moral standard. If you can’t and don’t want to be in public scrutiny, then stay away from politics. Otherwise, if any tom, dick or harry with capability but dubious moral standards join politics, what kind of govt would we have? jmho.

[limlim]

BlueBells:

Just thinking aloud ... Would you sue for libel and defamation if it is false? Reputation at stake, more so for people in the government.

Exactly.. the question is.. sue who?

if the person doesn't stand out in the open, it is not easy to track them down and take legal actions.

Not impossible, but difficult. Is it worth it? For criminal cases like bomb hoax etc.. the police can take action and easily trace with the help of the ISPs.. but for civil suits.. it wouldn't be so easy or simple unless maybe if you got the right connections..?

That why I say, if SPH, a reputable press is going to run a story, it would be more credible then some hearsay or articles on sites like.. TR? And TR is probably not based in SG so it makes it even more difficult to identity the person.. and TR may publish the story even if they don't have the slightest idea of who is the author..

That's why, unless someone is willing to stand out openly and share the stories.. the credibility of the article is highly questionable..

[3Boys]

limlim:

That's why, unless someone is willing to stand out openly and share the stories.. the credibility of the article is highly questionable..

So you are saying you completely disbelieve this then? But you were very willing to believe about FMH, weren't you?

LTK and YSL have not come out to deny anything. Only that they do not comment on rumours. They are just hoping that some people read that as a denial, and believe it. Just read the couple of letters in the ST forum today to get the sense of what others are feeling about this.

By the way, ST did run a story on the rumours. It is in the press. If there is nothing in it, why have WP not issued a press statement? Would you not want to quash swirling rumours about questionable morality on the part of a key party member, if there were no truth in it? Their press officer should be sacked if that were the case.

Your state of denial is as impressive as it is unbelievable.

As I said, I really have no interest in YSL or what the WP do, only that people would actually take the hook, line and sinker, and do exactly what they hope, i.e. turn a non-denial into a denial in their own minds.

[Mdm Koh]

I agree. Nowadays politicians have to maintain an impeccable record. Once they’re found out by the social media, their days in politics may be numbered. Social media can be a boon or bane. On the one hand, it’s good for Singaporeans because it sheds light on the undesirable actions of politicians and Singaporeans in high-flying jobs. On the other hand, if the website starts behaving too much like a tabloid, it may cross the line and invade a person’s right to privacy.


I think the news on GKS was out before his death. He eventually decided to divorce his first wife and marry his second wife when he was in his 70s. Luckily for him, there was no Temasek Review or TR Emeritus back then to jump on his case.

[limlim]

Sun_2010:

Ok sue is difficult under the current circumstances. What about just denying the affair. That is difficult too?

I feel that there is no problem with not responding to an article from TR.. However, if they do not response to someone who is talking is openly about it and sharing \"details\"... then.. definitely something is wrong.. :evil: :evil:

[limlim]

Lilac66:

I would prefer not to choose any if given the choice.

For B, it was his daughter who posted that in her blog. Her father ,I believe, has come out to apologise for the remark. So just move on.
Anyway, he is already out of office.

If you take note of the election results, you'll see that those really sincere, earnest MPs like Lily Neo and others always garner respectable margin of votes compared to the razor thin margin that the so-so MIW MPs get.

it is just a reference example.. of the \"type\" of leaders that we may be getting.. And, his father actually supported what the daughter says initially.. only later then he apologize.. sincere or not.. up to how you see it.

The way some MPs response to questions recently just seems to smell of this \"attitude/style\"..

Anyway, my example is just one of \"the lesser evil\"..

Seems that the pool of candidates is quite small.. not really much choice..