Steve Chia
Putting it in perspective
If police finds nothing criminal, and an apologetic Chia really cleans up his act, Singaporeans should let him carry on. By Seah Chiang Nee.
Dec 28, 2003

(A quick background: Singapore's promising opposition politician, Steve Chia, 34, is hit by a sex scandal over photos he took of his Indonesian maid posing topless.
Chia publicly admitted to taking the pictures after his pregnant wife lodged a police report, which led to confessions of adultery and a fetish for posing nude in photographs himself.
One picture published in the papers showed him naked while on holiday, his back to camera.
Chia has resigned as National Solidarity Party secretary general - and apologised.
"I am sorry for the bad publicity and all the inconveniences caused to the party, the alliance and the opposition movement by my actions," he posted on the net.
Chia said he was working to save his marriage and to put his own house in order. "My priority now is to rebuild my family relationships and to ensure our future unborn child will be surrounded by love," he said.)

Singaporeans have raised many questions regarding opposition leader, Steve Chia's trouble and his future as a politician? Reproduced are some of them - with the answers I give.

How are Singaporeans reacting to the scandal?
Pretty mixed, but more people are coming around to feel the whole thing is a domestic matter blown out of proportion.

Now that it has made headlines, conservative Singaporeans - and most women - feel that he should quit politics because he has lost his moral authority to speak out against wrongdoing.

In smaller numbers, however, are younger (and pro-opposition) people who do not see it as a serious act, definitely not one that warrants his political demise.

Unlike Americans, Singaporeans have Asian values and will not tolerate a Bill Clinton, you agree?

No. From ancient days to modern times, political leaders (and kings) in almost every Asian country are known to have had affairs, kept concubines and mistresses and have had illegal children.

It is part of history - and Asian values. It doesn't make it right - but it widely exists.

The late Mao Zedong and Sukarno, among others were known to crave for virgins and pretty girls; Kakuei Tanaka admitted to keeping a mistress.

In some societies, it's still widespread and tolerated. In Singapore, though, standards are set by the PAP's warning to its own people that if they're caught "they're out."

Is it a serious blow to the opposition?

It is bad for himself and his party, but should not reflect badly on the opposition's image.

The reason? It reflects one person's misbehaviour that could happen to any party. He is not a criminal, crook or a clown, which would raise more serious doubts of the opposition's selection process.

His resignation from all leadership posts has prevented any talk that opposition tolerates his actions.

Okay, do you think he's finished politically?
The voters will be the judge. It looks bad for him now, but if police investigation reveals nothing criminal it could blow over with time - provided the following conditions are met: -

(*) That he recognises his action was wrong, apologises for it (which he has done) and not repeat it.

(*) That he accepts it is his own fault, stops blaming anyone else and makes an effort to pull his marriage together, people will forget over time if he does good work in politics.

If his wife, pregnant with their first child, stands by him it will improve his chances of a comeback. This sounds corny, but to some extent, what the PAP leaders say will also have an impact on this issue.

But the future will be in his own hands, especially his work among Singaporeans in general and his potential voters in particular.

Steve Chia has a number of positive traits, too, that will stand him to good stead.

Firstly, he is young and hardworking. For years he has pounded the electoral beat, speaking dialects, Mandarin and English and has gained a wide following.

It won him 35% votes in Choa Chu Kang in 2001.

Above all, he is a true blue Singaporean, who appears passionate about wanting to improve things by opposing the PAP without running down Singapore or tearing down the system.

Being in the opposition and succeeding to his extent involves high sacrifice and risk and low rewards.

Footnote:
To the press: Unless something big develops please give the story a rest. Give him time and peace of mind to salvage his marriage and his political career.
By Seah Chiang Nee