Should Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek be a minister? I have been asked many times about this recently.

In fact, the question should be answered by MCA members as they have the greatest right to speak. MCA members are eligible to nominate anyone that they believe is capable enough to be a minister, just like party representatives of the U.S. Republican Party are eligible to elect the presidential candidate of their choice.

Early this year, other than John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Republican governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee were among the presidential candidates for the Republican Party. Huckabee would be the best in terms of morality. Other than his missionary work, he has wrote several books, advocated a healthy lifestyle and promoted a happy marriage.

He firmly opposed abortion and believes in no abortion even for those who have been raped or involved in incest. During his term as the Republican governor of Arkansas, a girl was raped by her stepfather and the hospital did a surgical abortion for the girl. Huckabee was furious and cut off subsidies for the hospital.

Conventional Republican Party supporters emphasise on family values. From this point of view, Huckabee seems to be a good presidential candidate.

However, McCain gained 1575 votes while Huckabee managed only 278. The latter withdrew from seeking the candidacy with a heavy heart.

Clearly, the election result is contrary to the Republican traditional values.

U.S. political culture scholar Julia Keller did a study to analyse the Republican supporters' decisions. She found that some candidates were affected by moral issue but some did not.

In fact, it is because of the fluidity of social values. There is nothing called immutability. When a society has a special hope towards a person or a need, the value will change itself.

Keller's concluded that the change of times has impact even on the most conservative part of the U.S. society.

Now, Republican wants a candidate who is full of passion, capable and is having a distinctive character, to respond to the community's needs. Therefore, they rather chose McCain, the brave Vietnam war veteran instead of good family man Huckabee.

Dr Chua was voted the Deputy President of MCA by 1,115 central delegates. I dare not to conclude that it is based on the same reason. But at least, I can interpret part of it.

Many MCA central delegates might have some moral hesitations before casting their votes. Taking Keller's study as a reference, these delegates have prioritised their hope towards the role of the deputy president post.

Many public criticisms against Dr Chua are based on textbook morality, and they remain in the missionary posture. However, textbook morality is unable to go universal because of the fluidity of social values. Just like Huckabee's missionary posture, it required a room for flexibility under the big environment.

Dr Chua's dynamism, ability and courage received more attention compared to his sexual life. As for the moral issue, just leave it to personal judgement!

I do not mean to support anyone, neither do I wish to comment on Dr Chua's moral issue. Instead, I just want to ponder over the relationship between politics and morality, as well as briefly interpret MCA central delegates' choice.

Let's get back to the question, should Dr Chua be a minister? I believe MCA members have made a decision.

Newly-elected party President Datuk Ong Tee Keat has the right to make recommendations. Other than his personal judgement, should him as well take the party's grassroot members' wishes into account?

After the recommendations, it would depend on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision. The Prime Minister has to consider BN's tradition before making any decision, he may also refer to the social change.

The decisions of Ong and Pak Lah will tell us their position in the flowing moral discourse. (By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)