by Ganesh Sahathevan
First, let us be clear that Caeser divorced his wife Pompea because he was embarrassed by the mere allegation that she had been the object of a seduction. This incident is thought to be the origin of thr proverb, " Caesar's wife must be above suspicion."
The memory of Pompea's shaming was recently raised in Singapore's courts in a matter involving cheating in exams by law graduates seeking admission to practise; Singapore's Straits Times reported last week:
"In a profession in which every member must be like Caesar's wife - beyond reproach - dishonesty is a big problem. But it would also be harsh to have one's professional career ended before it has even begun," said Justice Choo Han Teck.
The reference to Caeser's wife is intriguing for in 1998 Pompea was resurrected in defence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew in the HPL affair. The Hansard record states:
Mr S. Dhanabalan (Toa Payoh GRC): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to first declare that I work in a corporation whose shareholders own property development companies in Singapore
What is important is that Ministers and civil servants who may have dealings with a developer must make sure that there is no hint that they have been singled out for special favours so that they will be obligated to the developer. Like Caesar's wife, they must be above suspicion.
A lesson here, one is sure, but what might that lesson be, and for whom? Would Caesaer's wife Pompea feel vindicated, ashamed, or confused?
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