The videos affair highlights a reality of political life in Malaysia: that leaders cannot avoid being held to a religious benchmark if they desire credibility in the public eye.
To take a positive view of the gay sex videos controversy and accompanying sordid tales, those of us above 40 are now spared the trouble of explaining to our children and other younger Malaysians the circumstances of Anwar Ibrahim’s dramatic sacking some two decades ago.
Of course, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s solid backing is not enough here, especially when he has yet to go on record retracting his accusations of homosexuality against Anwar. On the other hand, the public would think nothing of the same Muslim religious leader being seen with a cigarette in hand because it is an acceptable vice in Muslim societies despite the fatwas against smoking.
Some transgressions are allowed, for example a man’s weakness for the female flesh or penchant for imbibing in private. The late Tunku Abdul Rahman still commanded respect from the Muslims of his time although he was not known as a terribly religious man due to the latter transgression.
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