Following the resignation of Elizabeth Wong, the very much sensationalised nude photo episode is finally coming to an end.

From the surface of it, we could expect nothing from her political foes, no more tricks whatsoever.

But, I have discovered something on the Internet.

Something, I found very ridiculous and far fetched.

It sounded like this, Mr H ( ex boyfriend of Eli) is a Muslim, hence he is subject to the Syariah Law.

Under the Syariah Law, any close physical contact with non family members, including sexual intercourse, would be Khalwat or zina. We are familiar with this.

Nobody wants to get in trouble with the Jabatan Agama Islam that is busy going around enforcing their duties under the Syariah Law.

"...however, I wish that no interested party would even think of stooping that low to engage such tactics in their political game."

Perhaps after strong opposition from various strata of society, the authorities are now not as high profile as they used to be in carrying out their duties.

It was argued on the Internet that, if the nude photos of Eli were proven to be taken by Mr H, then H can be found guilty of Khalwat.

It is further argued that, the other party involved (i.e Eli) can, therefore, be guilty of Khalwat as well.

To me, such argument cannot hold any water as Eli, a non-Muslim is not subject to the Syariah Law.

However, such argument reminded me of something that took place last year, right after the 8 March general election.

Then, it was reported that two important Islamic organisations in the nation were looking into the possibility of passing laws that could regulate non-Muslim who commit Khalwat with Muslim.

Some suggested that, these non-Muslim should be brought to the Civil Court and punish according to the Syariah law, be it canning or fine.

Definitely, this caused another uproar among the non-Muslim society. These opposing voices finally stop after some representative from these two bodies came to clarify that they have never intended to pass such laws.

As a non-Muslim, I am indeed pleased to know that there is no such law yet, but the passing of such laws no doubt would oblige the non-Muslim to live their lives by the Syariah Law.

It is alright for anyone to utter nonsense on the Internet, making all sorts of wild speculations and unsubstantiated argument like the one I mentioned above, to commit Eli under the Syariah Law, however, I wish that no interested party would even think of stooping that low to engage such tactics in their political game.

In a diverse country like ours, where we are multi religious and multi ethnic, religious or ethnic issues are very sensitive, it could cause panic within seconds.

Such a trick, no matter how ridiculous it sounds, could always hurt the very foundation of our nation - the harmonious relationship among different races.

It is definitely not a fun game to start with! (By TAN LEE CHIN/ Sin Chew Daily)

NUDE PHOTOS: Super-imposed pictures of Elizabeth Wong found

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23, 2009) : Super-imposed pictures of embattled Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong(pix) are making the rounds on the Internet amid controversy over the distribution of her semi-nude photographs.

A number of nude photographs in various poses show Wong's super-imposed head or face over that of nude models.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Wira Mohammad Sabtu Osman said police came across several copies of the fake photographs being spread by individuals who took advantage of the controversy over the distribution of Wong's semi-nude photographs.

"I am warning those responsible for the fake photographs to stop distributing them," he told reporters here.

He said that police were investigating two copies of Wong's controversial photographs but "we have since come across several superimposed pictures being spread by irresponsible people on the Internet."

Meanwhile, he said, police had recorded statements from 12 individuals from the media industry to help police investigations into the distribution of Wong's semi-nude photographs.

On Wong's former boyfriend who was suspected to be the person who took the scandalous pictures, Mohammad Sabtu said he was believed to be hiding in Indonesia.

Wong lodged a police report at the Damansara police station on Feb 18 following the distribution of the nude pictures. -- BERNAMA

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Lanjan voters want their assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong to stay on and are asking Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to turn down her offer to resign.

The Bukit Lanjan Coalition of Residents’ Associations launched a signature campaign to show their support for the embattled Wong, who has grabbed the nation’s attention after her nude photographs were circulated.

In a statement released by the coalition, the associations condemned the invasion of Wong’s private life through unauthorised photographing of her and stealing and disseminating her personal data.

“We state here categorically that we are not disturbed by still and moving images of YB Wong’s private life that we have been and may be exposed to,” said the statement.

The coalition launched its signature campaign in Bandar Utama yesterday where signature forms were distributed to various individuals and residents’ associations. To date, its online campaign has collected 4,600 signatures. The campaign will end tomorrow at 11am, after which the signatures will be sent to Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for presentation to the Sultan of Selangor on Wednesday.

Joint Action Group’s (JAG) Ivy Josiah, who was also present at the launch of the signature campaign, questioned the timing of the photographs’ release. “JAG is very concerned with Eli’s issue when there is a great tussle between the PR and BN,” she said

by Ahirudin Attan

THE scandal over the seminude photographs of a state minister from the opposition- run state of Selangor has taken on a life of its own.

It is no longer an issue of personal betrayal or intrusion of privacy, which was Miss Elizabeth Wong's contention when she lodged a police report over the photos. She said they had been taken without her consent and while she was asleep in the privacy of her own home.

The talk in some circles is now of political sabotage.

The story of a spurned former lover is not enough for many Malaysians. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says Umno - the backbone of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that rules the country - is behind the distribution of the photos.

He accuses Umno of trying to embarrass him and his party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Anwar has rejected Miss Wong's offer to resign from all her party posts.

A Member of Parliament, Mr Jeff Ooi, has speculated on his blog that Miss Wong is a victim of very clever and deceitful politics involving "Trojan horses".

Mr Ooi is from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), part of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition that Anwar leads.

According to him, this isn't the first time that PKR has been struck by political sabotage.

He was alluding to the allegation by young Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan that he had been sodomised by Anwar (the case is still pending trial).

He wrote on his blog: "Elizabeth Wong's predicament indicates the second time PKR's home-defence system may have been breached by "Trojan horses"."

Both cases involved individuals who had volunteered to work as party aides, he explained.

Anwar and Mr Ooi may think they are doing Miss Wong a favour, but they could have further harmed her reputation instead.

Already, Umno leaders who had initially asked the opposition to avoid politicising the scandal are now concocting their own brew in response to Anwar's allegation.

For example, one adviser to a senior Umno politician told me that Miss Wong is a victim of infighting within PKR, between the Menteri Besar and someone close to Anwar.

"It has nothing to do with us, just like their state assemblyman's marriage (scandal) had nothing to do with us," he said.

He was referring to a recent scandal where a PKR state minister in Kedah quit over allegations of bigamy. A by-election for his Bukit Selambau constituency will be held on April 7.

Whether it is a political set-up or a personal betrayal, Miss Wong's scandal has become another thorn in PR's flesh.

Less than a year after its emphatic electoral performance on March 8 last year - when it took five states from BN and denied it a two-thirds majority in Parliament - the coalition that unites PKR, DAP and the Islamic Parti Islam (PAS) has suffered one blow after another.

So far, PR has weathered the storm pretty well. It has already won two by-elections in a row.

But the Bukit Selambau, and another by-election for Bukit Gantang, come with their own unique controversies.

Umno leaders are already publicising the Bukit Gantang by-election as a PKR attempt to pit its popularity against the Sultan of Perak.

Meanwhile, seasoned political observers believe that Anwar is trying to avoid a third by-election, which would have to be held if he accepts Miss Wong's resignation.

"Three by-elections in three states won by PR in the last election would be a tough call. The issues are not all in the opposition's favour," said one pundit.

At the same time, politicising the scandal between Miss Wong and her former lover will encourage more worms to crawl out of the woodwork.

Already, some quarters are needling PAS leaders to state their stand, as her former lover is a Malay-Muslim and therefore subject to Islamic laws.

When Dr Chua Soi Lek's "sex video" circulated just months before last year's general election, he, too, said it was political sabotage.

But he resigned from all posts and came back later to win his party's deputy presidency (he was only a vice-president before the scandal).

When Dr Chua was down and almost out at the time, Miss Wong wrote in her blog that the only crime committed in the "sex video" scandal was by those who installed cameras in his hotel room.

Dr Chua has returned the favour. He told Miss Wong that her hard work and steadfastness would prevail.

SHAH ALAM: Police are still trying to track down Elizabeth Wong's former lover to assist in investigations.

Police are looking for Hilmi Hazimin Abdul Malek to assist in investigations. Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said police hoped to contact the ex-boyfriend and record his statement.

He said although they knew his identity, they have yet to contact him.

"We know who he is and are trying to contact him," Khalid said, refusing to reveal the person's identity.

He said police had received two photographs and a disc containing two images after recording statements from four journalists on Tuesday.
The photographs and images on the CD recovered from two of the reporters were the same, said Khalid.

"We will monitor the relevant websites. We have not received any videos and I hope those in possession of the photographs would destroy them immediately or surrender them to the police."

A team from the Forensics Department were at Wong's house in Petaling Jaya yesterday afternoon to conduct investigations.

They were there for more than an hour but refused to speak to reporters when they left at 4.30pm.

Wong also refused to comment, saying that she was leaving the investigations to police.

She also did not want to comment when asked about her former boyfriend.

It was, however, learnt that police were looking for Hilmi Hazimin Abdul Malek, 34, to assist in the investigations.

Hilmi was the former personal assistant to PJ Selatan member of parliament Hee Loy Sian. He worked for Hee for nine months after the election and resigned last month.

Yesterday in Parliament, Hee avoided the press, who were hounding him for information on Hilmi's whereabouts.

When they caught up with him, he refused to comment.

The New Straits Times team visited Hilmi's family home in Ampang Jaya yesterday afternoon and was told by a maid that he had not been seen for more than two weeks.

Prior to the general election last March, Wong had spoken about a man she was close to but refused to divulge his name.

She had complained that they were busy with party work and had little time to meet up.

Party insiders, however, said the couple had a misunderstanding and went their separate ways early this year.

Kuala Lumpur police has taken over Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong's nude pictures case from the Selangor police, and they will be assisted by Bukit Aman, said Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Wira Mohd Sabtu Osman.

Mohd Sabtu said the switch in venue of the case will not affect the progress and investigations as only the investigation officers are going to be different.

"We will continue the investigations conducted by the Selangor police," he told reporters after opening a community police beat at Precinct 9 here today.

He added that police are in the process of locating Wong's ex-boyfriend who is expected to be a key witness in the case.

"We will look for any witness if required," he said.
Mohd Sabtu said the case is being investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code on insulting the modesty of a woman, which carries a maximum of five years' jail or fine or both.

Wong, 37, who is also a Selangor state executive councillor, made a police report after her nude pictures, apparently taken by her ex-boyfriend, were distributed on the Internet.

Elizabeth Wong in Malaysian photo scandal. Alleged pictures of Elizabeth Wong are below.....

A Malaysian female politician, Elizabeth Wong, has been embroiled in a "intimate" photo scandal after media obtained a heavily circulated MMS showing the 37-year-old "in various positions in the bedroom."

Elizabeth Wong wrote a press release that she posted on her personal blog defending herself against the photos. The statement confirmed that Wong believed the photos were indeed of her. Elizabeth Wong said she "was probably asleep” when they were taken.

"The distribution and publication of these photos/video is a malicious attack on my personality. This constitutes a gross outrage on my modesty, a gross invasion of my privacy, and in particular the sanctity of my personal life. It is being done by unscrupulous persons to embarrass and discredit me."

Wong, who is a legislator in Malaysia's Selangor State executive council, was first alerted to the distribution of the photos by Malaysian tabloid The Malay Mail. The scandal is expected to take a hit on Elizabeth Wong's rising political star in the conservative south-east Asian country.

The Mail also reported there is a video being circulated along with the pictures and that the identity of the photographer unknown.

On-the-go Wong’s win in the last general election had propelled her from a “nobody” social activist to a government “big shot”, the Malay Mail reported.

Elizabeth Wong was made exco member in charge of tourism, consumer affairs and environment matters in Malaysia's Selongor state government.

Update: Accroding to the Malaysian Star, Elizabeth Wong, in a teary news conference, said she offered to resign from the PKR political party. The party so far has refused to accept.

Elizabeth Wong photo's:

Alleged pictures of Malaysian politician Elizabeth Wong, sent to the Press
The alleged pictures confirm Wong was sleeping the time they were taken by an unidentified photographer, rumoured to be an ex-boyfriend.

Update: I have watched some “scandalous” Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping photos on the internet which were taken using the mobile phone, all I can say the pics are totally not disastrous and I stand by Eli Wong, because she is readlly a victim. Voyuered and photographed when she was sleeping, she should take no responserbilities to resign from her post!!! (The pic left was seen posting on an adult blog which we won’t have its link here).

This is kinda sad, Elizabeth Wong Nude Photos Scandal! Elizabeth Wong, a respected state assemblywoman and Executive Councilor in Malaysia’s most developed Selangor State, has been implicated in a naked pictures scandal and she lodged a police report, Malaysiakini.com is reporting.

Pakatan Rakyat’s Elizabeth Wong whose nude photographs are being circulated in public has made a report urging the police to investigate the matter.

Elizabeth Wong, 39, is unmarried. It was said the scandolous photos showing her laying on the sofa with untidy clothing were photographed after 2008’s 308 General Elections by the former boyfriend without her consent when she was sleeping. Elizabeth, the promising young female politician in Malaysia’s opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, is thought to be a victim smeared in the current turbulous Malaysia political crisis.

From the MalaysiaInsider: Nude pix of Exco take dirty fight to new depths

The salacious side of Malaysian politics has once again been exposed after the circulation of nude pictures said to be that of Selangor state executive councillor and PKR politician Elizabeth Wong.

The photographs are believed to have been taken by a former boyfriend without her consent.

PKR and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) politicians are now scrambling to limit the damage which will be caused by the circulation of the photographs.

The unmarried Wong is expected to be issuing a public statement on the matter today. She is also understood to have lodged a police report.

Copies of them photographs were sent to a number of newspapers last week, in what appears to be an orchestrated attempt to smear her image.

The circulation of the photographs comes as the PR alliance is coming under more pressure from the Barisan Nasional (BN).

After the toppling of the PR Perak state government recently, the Selangor state government is also said to be under the threat of defections.

Elizabeth Wong Photos And Newspapers’s Nude Pictures Scandal Reports On Her

Update: Elizabeth Wong released two statements, first saying she is a victim, second she decided to resign from her office as a Slangor exco and a party leader. Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid confirmed that he had received Wong’s resignation letter and said he would get the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s views on Wong’s decision to quit all posts while praising Wong as an exmamplary exco.

Anwar Ibrahim, Wong’s party leader, said in his statement he “can only use the strongest possible terms to condemn the smear tactics used against her. One can only wonder to what depths the people behind this will stoop to achieve their aims,” while not forgetting to blame Malaysia Prime Minister-in-waiting Najib Tun Razak’s morals. Awar also asked Elizabeth Wong to rethink her quit decision.

Update: Eilee Ng of Associated Press reported on Elizabeth Wong “Photos Scandal”. I want to make two corrections of her article, 1) Eli Wong is not 37 years old, but 39, on March 10, 2008, TheStar.com.my reported she turned to 38 two days after she was elected as a legislator; 2) Elizabeth Wong was not nude, which can be seen from the two pictures so far leaked on a pornographic site.

A prominent Malaysian opposition legislator resigned today after photographs of her sleeping naked were circulated to the public by cell phone, an embarrassing disclosure that she slammed as a plot to discredit her party.

The People’s Justice Party, however, told 37-year-old Elizabeth Wong to go on extended leave, and said it will decide later whether to accept her resignation from the central Selangor state assembly.

It is the latest incident in Malaysian politics to intrude into the private lives of politicians, most of whom have been opposition figures. Among them was People’s Justice Party leader Anwar Ibrahim who has been accused of sodomy twice. The government has denied a role in the scandals, including Wong’s pictures.

In an emotional news conference, Wong, a well-known human rights activist, did not deny that the pictures in question were of her.

She said it was “an insidious and underhanded attempt” to smear her reputation, adding that “the real objective is to discredit the party.”

“I have done nothing wrong. I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.

“In the interest of my party I have decided to offer my resignation,” said Wong.

News reports say the photos were believed to have been taken by her ex-boyfriend without her knowledge in her home last year.

She filed a police complaint Sunday after being informed that a newspaper had received the photographs from unidentified sources.

Wong did not blame the governing National Front coalition directly for her embarrassment, but leaders in her party charged it was politically motivated.

“We asked her to rethink her options. I am angry. I am personally disgusted with this kind of gutter politics” by the National Front, party chief Anwar told reporters.

Gutter Politics! Agenda Daily, a website sided with UMNO which was blamed by many angry Malaysian netizens having orchestrated Eli Wong Photos scandal, made this combo picture emphasizing the “intimacy” of Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping and Selangor Chief Minister Khalid Ibrahim.

Khalid To Seek Guidance From Sultan On Elizabeth Wong's Offer

SHAH ALAM, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today he will seek an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to brief him and seek his guidance on State Executive Councillor Elizabeth Wong's offer to resign from her Exco post as well as the assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan.

Abdul Khalid said he had received the letter from Wong offering her resignation from the two posts, and said that the turn of events was unfortunate as she had been an examplary exco member.

"As I have stated yesterday, over the last 11 months, she had been working very hard in carrying her duties. In view of the trying circumstances and the obvious stress she must be going through, I have advised her to take leave and have a deserved rest," he said in a press statement released here today.

Abdul Khalid also said it was most unfortunate that certain elements had resorted to such despicable acts to smear her name and integrity and he was sure Malaysians and the people of Selangor would reject the use of such shameful tactics.

Wong, 37, the state executive councillor in charge of tourism, consumer affairs and environment, was in the limelight following news of efforts by certain parties to spread her nude photographs through the media.

-- BERNAMA

PETALING JAYA: The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has expressed shock over the unauthorised circulation of semi-nude pictures of Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong.

Maria Chin Abdullah said yesterday that Wong was being victimised as a single woman, in a tactic meant to deliberately cast moral aspersions and indirectly question her ability to carry out her duties as a politician.

“These photos are being released at a time when the tussle for power between the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat is increasingly in­­tense. Under no circumstance should anyone sink to this level of politicking,” said Maria.

Politics, she added, was being practised in an increasingly violent, sensationalised and sexualised manner.

Maria said the group – comprising Awam, Empower, WAO and WCC – hoped to hear strong statements from both Barisan and Pakatan condemning the circulation of sexually intimate photos and videos as a means of practising politics.

Elizabeth Wong offers to quit, PKR says hold on

Wong ... "I have done nothing wrong; I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person."

PETALING JAYA: Selangor executive council member and Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, whose nude photographs are being circulated, has tendered her resignation from both posts, but party leaders have yet to accept it.

PKR adviser and de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the party would make its decision after Wong comes back from extended leave, but declined to say how long she will be off.

“No one in Pakatan Rakyat is pressuring her to leave,” he said, adding that he was concerned with the “pattern of tarnishing PKR MPs’ reputations.”

“This is a nasty, humiliating personal attack on her and we have seen this pattern of attack in Perak, Kedah and now, in Selangor,” he said.

Earlier this month, Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam of PKR quit after allegations of a marriage scandal surfaced.

“Eli (Wong) is an important leader in our state government with a good track record. We leave it to the wisdom of the Selangor Mentri Besar whether to accept her resignation,” Anwar said.

“Wong has spoken at length to (Anwar’s wife and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan) Azizah Ismail and me.

“We have discussed the issues and we understand her reasons and the decisions that she has taken. We also condemned in the strongest possible terms certain elements for resorting to this pattern of attack,” he told reporters after chairing the PKR pre-council meeting at the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar, who could not attend the opening of the new Parliament meeting on Monday after missing his flight from Doha, said he would also stand by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s request for Wong to go on a “short break” to avoid any undue pressure on her.

“We have also asked her to reconsider all her options. After the break, I will meet with her again to further discuss the issue. Pakatan Rakyat leaders have also agreed to leave it to PKR to make a decision about her status,” he said.

Wong announced she was offering to quit her posts on Tuesday morning, saying she would have a talk with Khalid to arrange for the proper handover of her responsibilities.

Khalid confirmed that he had received Wong’s resignation letter but advised her to go on “leave and have a deserved rest.”

He said he would get the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s views on Wong’s decision to quit all posts first.

“I shall be seeking an audience with his His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor to brief him on the issue and seek his guidance,” he said.

“This turn of events is unfortunate as ... Wong has been an exemplary exco member,” Khalid said in a statement.

“It is most unfortunate that certain elements have resorted to such despicable acts to smear her (Wong’s) name and integrity.

“I am sure Malaysians and the people of Selangor will reject the use of such shameful tactics and join me in condemning the people responsible,” he added.

Triple-whammy
If PKR accepts her resignation sooner rather than later, Malaysians might face three by-election within the next two months.

There is the now-vacated Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah, as well as the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak with the death of its Member of Parliament Roslan Shaharum of PAS on Feb 9.

The Election Commission has fixed April 7 for those two by-elections, with nomination day being March 29.

Its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said that the Commission would not rule out the possibility of holding all three by-elections at the same time if and when it is officially informed of Wong’s resignation of the Bukit Lanjang seat.

At a press conference earlier Tuesday, Wong said that she would continue to serve the people and “fight for justice for Malaysia.”

She said that although the smear campaign directed against her has caused a lot of anguish, she is aware that the real objective is to discredit PKR.

“I have done nothing wrong; I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person,” Wong said outside the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

Also present were PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah and her fellow exco members Teresa Kok and Xavier Jeyakumar.

“I have broken no law; I stand by the fundamenal principles of a democracy that everyone has a right to privacy,” Wong said, breaking down in tears.

She said that she believed that the attacks would continue in greater intensity and PKR’s political rivals would continue to “manipulate the situation.”

“Accordingly, I have decided to make a stand in the interest of the party and its struggle for the people,” Wong said.

Many supporters who had gathered called for her to withdraw her offer to resign.

Wong was the state exco member in charge of Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment, and the information chief of the Women’s wing of PKR and of her division Petaling Jaya Utara.

Without consent
Wong was informed last Friday by journalists from a daily that they were in possession of intimate photographs of her and that the daily was about to publish a story about them.

She described the distribution and publication of the materials a malicious attack on her personality, a gross outrage of her modesty and a gross invasion of her privacy. She lodged a police report on Sunday night.

OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed the report and said that Wong had heard about the photographs being circulated from friends and journalists.

“We will be calling everyone involved to give their statements as soon as possible,” he said on Monday.

Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said police have already questioned reporters from two English dailies who received the pictures.

“Selangor police have also set up a special taskforce to investigate the matter,” he said Tuesday, adding that they expect to take Wong’s statement later Tuesday.

Police have warned that anyone found distributing the pictures could face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both, under Section 292 of the Penal Code for distributing and having in possession material containing pornographic elements.

There is talk that the pictures, allegedly snapped without her consent or knowledge, might have been taken and circulated by an ex-boyfriend.

Support from many
The distribution of her photographs has incensed women’s groups and leaders from both sides of the political divide.

MCA Wanita chief Datin Chew Mei Fun condemned the person or persons responsible, saying:

“We are outraged by such shameful acts of using women as sexual objects. It is an outright invasion of the privacy of women as well as an exploitation of women.”

Chew said taking photographs of bodily parts without consent or knowledge is against the law and punishable under the Penal Code (Act 574) and publishing such pornographic materials in the public domain also constituted to a violation of the same Act.

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) expressed shock over the unauthorised circulation of the pictures, saying that Wong was being victimised as a single woman, in a tactic meant to deliberately cast moral aspersions and indirectly question her ability to carry out her duties as a politician.

The group – comprising Awam, Empower, WAO and WCC – said it hoped to hear strong statements from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat condemning the circulation of sexually intimate photos and videos as a means of practising politics.

Wong, in a personal message on her blog, thanked everyone for their messages of support.

“I am grateful for your support and kind words of encouragement, especially from my constituents, my party and Pakatan members, exco members and old friends. This means the world to me.

“I also wish to thank some fellow politicians from the other opposite end of the political divide for their encouragement too,” she said.

Wong won the Bukit Lanjan seat with a majority of over 5,000, the second largest majority won by a PKR state assembly candidate in Selangor, in the general election on March 8 last year.

BN leaders sympathetic to Elizabeth

By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 — Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders today expressed sympathy towards Selangor state executive council member Elizabeth Wong who is embroiled in a nude picture scandal.

Wong had last night lodged a police report after it surfaced that nude photos of her, apparently lifted off a video taken without her knowledge, had been distributed to several news organisations.

This comes despite Pakatan Rakyat (PR) believing that a witchhunt is being perpetrated by Barisan Nasional (BN) in a bid to topple its Selangor government.

On the back of the takeover of the Perak state government, speculation is rife that BN will also make a move to get Selangor assemblymen to cross over.

De facto Parliament Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz appeared to distance BN from any involvement in the circulation of the photos, saying he hoped the Bukit Lanjan assemblyman would “find the strength to endure this and ignore it.”

“This should not happen because she is an elected representative and is doing her job as one. To bring her down through such method is not good,” he said.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai also condemned the circulation of the photos and video, saying that such “pornography” was not part of Malaysian culture.

Disclaiming any knowledge of whether it was politically motivated, he said that the leaking of the material was “not ethical and is an invasion of privacy.”

“However, if the picture is a revelation of her lifestyle, then it is not right for a leader to adopt such a lifestyle,” he added.

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad also said that while she has not seen the video, Wong’s privacy should be respected. “People should not do such a thing,” she said but added that elected representatives in the public sphere should be mindful of their conduct because they were now responsible to their constituents.

However, Selangor opposition chief Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo questioned Wong’s morality. “This is about morality, whether the pictures were taken with or without consent is another matter, I cannot accept a lawmaker whose morality is questionable,” Khir told The Malaysian Insider.

DEWAN RAKYAT, Feb 16, 2009:

Selangor will convene a state executive meeting on tomorrow to discuss an incident involving one of its executive councillors, whose nude photographs are currently being circulated in public.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said he was aware of a police report lodged by exco Elizabeth Wong on the matter.

"I am waiting for the police report. We will be discussing this incident at the state exco meeting tomorrow," he said at the parliament lobby today after attending the opening of the new parliament session in his capacity as the Bandar Tun Razak MP.

He said PKR will also be having a meeting on the matter.

"I think it will be unfair to make any decision at this time without proper information as it could be misconstrued as someone is trying to frame the victim.
"The best we can do is to urge the police to investigate the matter properly," he said.

It was reported that the naked photographs were taken while Wong, who is also the tourism, consumer affairs and environment exco, was sleeping and without her consent.

The Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman had since lodged a police report.
Wong's plight had received support and sympathies from her party colleagues and MPs from both sides of the divide.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she has yet to obtain full details of the incident.

"This is sad. It showed a consistent pattern of attacking our assemblypersons. We will look into the matter and we will handle it," she said.

Vice-president R. Sivarasa said the matter is a gross invasion of privacy.
"This is a non-issue because it is something personal. Unfortunately, the pictures had fallen to the hands of unscrupulous people, who are using it to attack her personal life. The timing quite clearly politically-motivated."

Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) said Wong does not need to resign from all her political posts as this is clearly a private matter.

"It is not like she is with another man or someone else's husband. But if the pictures were leaked by a former boyfriend, then I believe not only is it a betrayal of her trust, but politically-motivated as well," she said.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Nazri Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) said such incident should not have taken place at all.

"It is not a good to use such tactics to sabotage her work," he said, and adviced Wong to stay strong.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai (BN-Bentong) said: These kind of things, like infringing on someone’s privacy shouldn’t have had happened. I don’t know what is their motive or aim.”

PKR information chief Tian Chua (PKR-Batu): "I don’t rule out that they will go after one another, to divert from the problems that the government is facing.

"Following a police report lodged by Wong today, the police should investigate and give protection to people like these, not exposing them. The media should also be ethical and not invade their privacy."

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the Public Complaints Bureau T.Murugiah: "The disclosure and distribution of these pictures is uncalled for and should be condemned. This is a culture that people must avoid and it also disrespectful to women. How would we feel if anyone were to do this to our daughters, wives, sisters or mothers?

"In view of an increase in such incidences I would also like to warn ladies especially to be more careful in future and be cautious of whom they entertain.

"There are many possibilities here and in this case it seems like an
attempt to tarnish her image as an assemblywoman to bring her down. I hope the police will conduct thorough investigations and bring the culprits to book. It is of concern when a person’s personal life is made into an issue."

Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera): "If it (the pictures are) true, then she should resign. But if she thinks she was victimized, then lodge a police report and let the police investigate."

Asked to comment on allegations that it was the work of Umno, out to tarnish the name of Pakatan Rakyat representatives, he said, "We have a lot of work, and it’s not our kind of work to take pictures of people in nude."

SHAH ALAM: "I am a victim. I appeal for some breathing space to be given to my family and me in this trying time."

State executive councillor and Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong issued this plea yesterday.

She learned of the circulation of nude photographs of her when journalists from an English tabloid said they have them in their possession.

"I was told that some people were trying to distribute the photos or videos showing me asleep in partial nudity and also in intimate positions."

She said their distribution and publication was a malicious attack on her and constituted a gross outrage of her modesty.
"It was also an invasion of my privacy and it was done by unscrupulous persons to embarrass and discredit me."

Wong, who lives in Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya, said she would not speculate about who was responsible for this.

"I have received a lot of support from my supporters, friends, colleagues and constituents.

"My family members are standing by me and I will continue to carry out my task of serving the people of Selangor."

Wong has not cancelled any of her scheduled programmes but one of her aides said she had cleared her diary.

Tearful Wong quits over nude pix

Elizabeth Wong comforting tearful supporters after announcing her resignation today.

By Neville Spykerman

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 – Selangor executive councillor and Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong broke down in tears as she announced her resignation from both posts today following the circulation of her nude photographs.

“I have received overwhelming support from family and my constituents but in the interest of my party, I have decided to offer my resignation as exco member and State Assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan,” she said while trying to contained her tears.

She said the event of the last two days have shown an insidious and underhanded attempt by certain quarters to smear her reputation.

“My personal life and privacy has been violated.”

However, Wong who was speaking at the PKR Headquarters in Tropicana here said that while the smear campaign was directed towards her, she was aware that the real objective was to discredit her party.

“I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law. I stand by the fundamental principle in a democracy that everyone has a right to privacy”

She said PKR stands for “New Politics” that holds justice and human rights as core values which transcends gender, ethnicity and class.

“New politics also means we rise above gutter politics.” she said

Wong said she believed the attacks will continue with greater intensity and did not have any doubt that UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue to manipulate the situation.

Wong said she will arrange a proper handover of her responsibilities to Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim whom she thanked for his unwavering support.

Dozens of her supporters who attended the press conference carried banners, cards and flowers, urging her to reconsider.

Her fellow executive council members Teresa Kok and Xavier Jeyakumar also called on her not to resign during the press conference.

Kok said each council member has had to face this sort of personal attacks and this was Wong’s turn. “This can happen to anyone of us.”

PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah said the move to discredit Wong was politically motivated and called on Malaysians to reject what he described as gutter politics.

He said he hopes the police will bring the culprits to task.

PKR Wanita chief Zuraidah Kamaruddin said the party will not let the matter rest and will pursue the culprits.

Meanwhile party sources told The Malaysian Insider that Wong fate is still being decided by the party leadership, who are considering whether to accept her resignation.

The human rights activist and environmentalist will be the third politician in recent history to quit posts due to such photographs or video. The first was then deputy speaker of parliament D.P. Vijandran in 1989 who quit after pornographic tapes featuring him surfaced. Last year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek resigned on New Year’s Day under similar circumstances.

If her resignation is accepted, it will lead to a by-election in Bukit Lanjan.

The Election Commission has already fixed April 7 for by-elections in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak and Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah. The nomination day for both is March 29.

NUDE PICTURES: I am a victim, says Elizabeth Wong

PETALING JAYA (Feb 16, 2009) : Facing the most embarrassing episode of her life with pictures of her in partial nudity and intimate positions being circulated, Selangor state executive councillor and Bukit Lanjan Assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong said today she will help police in their probe and refused to speculate on who is responsible for this "gross invasion of my privacy".

Elizabeth Wong

Describing herself as a "victim" in this incident, she said in a statement released this afternoon that this is being done by unscrupulous persons to embarrass and discredit her.

"The distribution and publication of these photos or video is a malicious attack on my personality," said Wong, who is also state Tourism, Environment and Consumer Affairs committee chairman.

She said she had received a lot of support from her supporters, friends and colleagues and members of her constituency and thanked them for their concern, support and encouragement.

She appealed to the media to give her and her family members some "breathing space" to allow her go through this trying time.

She said she was informed on Friday by The Malay Mail reporters that they have intimate photographs of her and that some people were trying to distribute photos/videos showing her asleep in partial nudity and in intimate positions which she said, constitutes a "gross outrage on my modesty and the sanctity of my personal life".

Wong, 37, who is with Parti Keadilan Rakyat and had been active in human rights advocacy work all her life, said she lodged a police report on this yesterday.

She said she will continue to carry out her task in serving the people of Selangor faithfully despite what has happened.

Both theSun and The Malay Mail had front-paged the report today.

ACP Arjunaidi Mohamed

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed the assemblywoman (whom he did not name) had lodged the report at 11pm at the Damansara police station on Sunday, adding that police will investigate the nature of the complaint before deciding on the next course of action.

"We have yet to see the photos and we will only be able to classify the case after finding out how the photos were circulated. We will call all parties who know of these photos," said Arjunaidi, adding that if the photos were posted on the Internet, it will come under the Multimedia Crimes Act and will be handled by the Commercial Crimes Investigations Department (CCID).

It is learnt that police will record a statement from the journalists of the two dailies and the assemblywoman's ex-boyfriend.

When asked what were the possible offences committed, Arjunaidi said one is the distribution of nude photos, an offence under Section 292 of the Penal Code which carries a fine and imprisonment of up to three years or both.

He said if such photos are taken consensually, it is not an offence if kept for private viewing.

Ivy Josiah

He said pictures captured without the consent of a person is also an offence and action can be taken against the person who took them.

Meanwhile, the news of Wong's privacy invaded, had caused immediate reactions from various parties including politicians and NGOs.

Womens Aid Organisation president Ivy Josiah hit out at this act as "vile, despicable and irrelevant".

"If whoever behind this thinks that they have succeeded in humiliating Elizabeth Wong, they're wrong!" she told theSun in a telephone interview today.

"They have humiliated themselves through this vile, despicable and irrelevant act."

Ivy stressed that actions like this should be seriously condemned and that the public is not interested in this kind of revelation.

"I think the public should constantly and strongly reject this kind of deliberate attempts to tarnish a person's reputation," she said, adding that very often women are the victims and that it is not the first time.

She also stressed that people should look at Wong's work and commitment in serving Malaysians, and not be misled by the visuals or reports about the matters.

KUALA LUMPUR: Was it the work of a spurned lover?

This is one of the leads in the investigation into the "kiss and tell" episode involving PKR Bukit Lanjan state assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong (right) which surfaced on Sunday.

Photographs of Wong, who is also Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment executive councillor, are being circulated and those with knowledge of the incident are pointing fingers at her former lover. The two allegedly broke up recently and he was said to have moved to another country.

Wong has refused to speculate, although several reports quoted her as saying that it was her in the photographs and that the pictures were taken in her bedroom.

Wong, who lodged a police report after being told of the photographs, apparently taken with a camera phone, called the entire episode an "intrusion of privacy".

Photographs made available to the New Straits Times showed Wong asleep with her glasses on and another of her in bed with her eyes closed. She was partially covered with a sarung.

The incident sparked an outcry from politicians from both sides of the political divide with most alleging that it was a clear-cut case of "intrusion of Wong's privacy".

Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, however, contended that Wong must resign from all her positions.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state executive council meeting on Wednesday would discuss the incident.

"I am waiting for the police report. We will be discussing this incident at the state exco meeting on Wednesday," he said at the Parliament lobby yesterday after attending the opening of the new Parliament session in his capacity as the Bandar Tun Razak MP.

"I think it would be unfair to make any decision at this time without proper information as it could be misconstrued as someone trying to frame the victim.

"The best we can do is to urge the police to investigate the matter properly," he said.

Wong ... "I have done nothing wrong; I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person."

PETALING JAYA: Selangor executive council member and Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, whose nude photographs were being circulated, has quit both positions, paving the way for a third by-election within the next two months.

She said she will discuss with Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to arrange for the proper handover of her responsibilities.

Her resignation would be subject to Khalid's approval. The party is expected to accept her resignation.

PKR adviser and de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to call a press conference on the issue Tuesday afternoon.

Khalid confirmed that he had received Wong’s resignation letter and said he would get the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s views on Wong’s decision to quit all posts.

“I shall be seeking an audience with his His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor to brief him on the issue and seek his guidance,” he said, adding that he has asked Wong to take leave and “have a deserved rest.”

“This turn of events is unfortunate as ... Wong has been an exemplary exco member,” Khalid said in a statement.

“It is most unfortunate that certain elements have resorted to such despicable acts to smear her (Wong’s) name and integrity.

“I am sure Malaysians and the people of Selangor will reject the use of such shameful tactics and join me in condemning the people responsible,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wong said that she would continue to serve the people and "fight for justice for Malaysia.”

She said that although the smear campaign directed against her has caused a lot of anguish, she is aware that the real objective is to discredit PKR.

“I have done nothing wrong; I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person," Wong said at a press conference outside the PKR headquarters here Tuesday morning.

Also present were PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah and her fellow exco members Teresa Kok and Xavier Jeyakumar.

“I have broken no law; I stand by the fundamenal principles of a democracy that everyone has a right to privacy,” Wong said, breaking down in tears.

She said that she believed that the attacks would continue in greater intensity and PKR’s political rivals would continue to “manipulate the situation.”

“Accordingly, I have decided to make a stand in the interest of the party and its struggle for the people,” Wong said.

Many supporters who had gathered called for her to withdraw her offer to resign.

Wong was also the state exco member in charge of Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment, and the information chief of the Women’s wing of PKR and of her division Petaling Jaya Utara.

The Election Commission has fixed April 7 for by-elections in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak and the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah.

Bukit Gantang Member of Parliament Roslan Shaharum of PAS died of a heart attack on Feb 9, while the Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam of PKR quit the day before over a marriage scandal.

Wong earlier said that she was informed last Friday by journalists from a daily that they were in possession of intimate photographs of her and that the daily was about to publish a story about them.

She described the distribution and publication of the materials a malicious attack on her personality, a gross outrage of her modesty and a gross invasion of her privacy.

OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed that Wong had lodged a police report Sunday night and said that police were investigating.

He said that Wong had heard about the photographs being circulated from friends and journalists.

“We will be calling everyone involved to give their statements as soon as possible,” he said.

ACP Arjunaidi warned that action would be taken against anyone found distributing the pictures.

“You may face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both, under Section 292 of the Penal Code for distributing and having in possession material containing pornographic elements,” he said.

There is talk that the pictures, allegedly snapped without her consent or knowledge, might have been taken and circulated by an ex-boyfriend.

The distribution of her photographs has incensed women’s groups and leaders from both sides of the political divide.

MCA Wanita chief Datin Chew Mei Fun condemned the person or persons responsible, saying:

“We are outraged by such shameful acts of using women as sexual objects. It is an outright invasion of the privacy of women as well as an exploitation of women.”

Chew said taking photographs of bodily parts without consent or knowledge is against the law and punishable under the Penal Code (Act 574) and publishing such pornographic materials in the public domain also constituted to a violation of the same Act.

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) expressed shock over the unauthorised circulation of the pictures, saying that Wong was being victimised as a single woman, in a tactic meant to deliberately cast moral aspersions and indirectly question her ability to carry out her duties as a politician.

The group – comprising Awam, Empower, WAO and WCC – said it hoped to hear strong statements from both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat condemning the circulation of sexually intimate photos and videos as a means of practising politics.

Wong, in a personal message on her blog, thanked everyone for messages of support.

“I am grateful for your support and kind words of encouragement, especially from my constituents, my party and Pakatan members, exco members and old friends. This means the world to me.

“I also wish to thank some fellow politicians from the other opposite end of the political divide for their encouragement too,” she said.

Wong won the Bukit Lanjan seat with a majority of over 5,000, the second largest majority won by a PKR state assembly candidate in Selangor, in the general election on March 8 last year.

On Monday, Khalid had said that the scandal would not affect Wong’s ability to serve as assemblyman and exco member.

“I have full confidence that she will continue to carry out her duties efficiently,” he said in a statement, adding that in her 11 months in office, she had proven that she could carry out her duties as assemblyman and exco member diligently and intelligently.