Jack Neo is also a long-time friend of Minister Yeo. They have known each other since the 1990s and have even co-started a blog together.
When Minister Yeo received the confession call from Jack Neo the night before, he could not just keep quiet about the incident, or release an official statement supporting his actions too. Minister Yeo had to defend his friend and as foreign minister, protect this "National hero", so he can't possibly keep quiet. However, being an government official, he had to condemn such immoral acts too. As such, Minister Yeo's action had to be politically balanced.
The politically correct thing to do was to defend Jack Neo, but in a more subtle way. If Jack Neo's is not being defended, the government, who has praised him many times, would be a big laughingstock of other countries. But if Minister Yeo openly speak to the public about this matter, it will be inappropriate too because in that way, he is actually encouraging social vices of having an affair and committing adultery.
Therefore, what he did was the best option - to blog his opinions. This was neither speaking for the government, nor openly defending Jack - it was just his personal opinion. For example, he said in his blog that he was "deeply saddened". This sentence expresses his disapproval for Jack's actions, yet stirs up empathy amongst the readers for Jack.
Jack's move to call up Minister Yeo was also wise. Minister Yeo is not anybody - he is the foreign minister and it was his duty to defend this Singapore Icon (who made Singapore movies famous) and friend. His words, even though it was his own "personal opinion", made a great influence and impact on the people.
If I were Minister Yeo, I would definitely defend Jack Neo. It is the politically correct action, and although I feel angry over Jack's actions, I am also left with no choice but to defend him.
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