Survey: When is private lives of politicians fair game?
Embattled politician Elizabeth Wong, whose nude photos were circulated in public, should take heart – as far as
Malaysiakini readers are concerned, she need not resign.
Close to 90 percent of respondents in the ‘Private lives of public officials’ survey said that an elected representative is not required to quit “if he or she is a victim of circumstances in his/her private life and if the outcome has no impact on public office”.
Of the 2,840 who participated in the weekend poll, 2,507 (88.3 per cent), believe that a public figure should not be punished in such cases.
However, the question, “Should an elected representative’s personal lifestyle be a consideration in holding public office?” elicited a mixed response.
While 52.5 percent (1,490) answered “No”, 44.9 percent (1,272) answered “Yes”.
According to a political observer, the answer revealed the public view that in some cases, the politician’s personal lifestyle can be a very important factor on whether he or she should be elected to public office.
Media should not pry
“For example, when a politician makes private morality a key platform in his or her electoral campaign, then he or she has chosen to make their own lives a public issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of respondents in the survey feel that the media should stay out of the private lives of public officials.
Over 81 percent answered “No” to the question “Should the private lives of public officials be open to press scrutiny?”
“Humans are often titillated by reports concerning the private lives of the powerful, rich and famous, but that does not give the media the right to pry into their bedrooms,” said the political observer.
“What the public is interested in is not always of ‘public interest’.” Mkini
