Updated on 17 Feb 2009 at 8.27pm
PETALING JAYA, 17 Feb 2009:Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has asked Selangor state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong, who has offered to resign following the release of her nude photographs, to go on leave.
“I told Eli (Elizabeth) that we are prepared to defend her good name. She’s an important leader in Selangor with a good track record as an assemblyperson and state executive councillor,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here today, reports Bernama.
Wong, 37, of PKR, offered to resign from her council post and Bukit Lanjan seat today after her nude photographs were posted on the Internet.
Earlier, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will seek the advice of the Sultan of Selangor over Wong’s offer to resign over nude photos of her being made public.
“I have received a letter from YB Elizabeth Wong stating her offer to resign from her position as a state executive councillor (exco) and as Bukit Lanjan assembly[person]. This turn of events is unfortunate as YB Elizabeth Wong has been an exemplary exco member,” Khalid said in a press statement today.
“I shall be seeking an audience with His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, to brief him on the issue and seek his guidance,” Khalid added.
Wong, from PKR, yesterday said she was a victim of a smear campaign after she was informed that nude photos of her were being circulated. An intimate video of Wong is also reportedly in circulation.
She tendered her resignation letter today.
Yesterday, Khalid said the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government would stand by Wong, 37, a former human rights activist.
“As I have stated yesterday, over the last 11 months, she has worked very hard in carrying her duties,” Khalid said in today’s press statement.
He said that in view of the trying circumstances and obvious stress Wong was undergoing, he has advised her to go on leave and take a deserved rest.
“It is most unfortunate that certain elements have resorted to such despicable acts to smear her name and integrity. I am sure Malaysians and the people of Selangor will reject the use of such a shameful tactics, and join me in condemning the desperate people responsible,” Khalid added.
Wong gives statement
Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, Bernama reports that police will record a statement from Wong today to identify the person behind the circulation of her nude photographs.
Selangor polcie chief Datuk Khalid Bakar said the politician would give her statement at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters this afternoon.
“She has informed us that she will be giving her statement over this issue and that her statement could assist us to find the person responsible for circulating those nude photographs.
“If necessary, police will seek assistance from the Multimedia and Communication Commission to determine the genuineness of those photographs. There are many angles to look into before we wrap up the case,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Khalid also said that police would not delay their probe even though Wong had offered to resign as state executive councillor and Bukit Lanjan state assemblyperson as the two were different things.
Khalid said the case is at its initial stage and police could not reveal much as they needed more time.
“We have to determine many things in this case, such as the date and location the photographs were taken and the person appearing in the pictures. We promise a thorough investigation.”
In PKR’s interest
Earlier today, Wong, a first time assemblyperson who was elected in the March 2008 elections, told a press conference she has offered to resign as state assemblyperson and exco member in the party’s interest.
“I have done no wrong. I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law,” a tearful Wong told reporters at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana today.
Wong on the verge of breaking down during the press conference
She added that the smear campaign’s real objective was to discredit PKR.
“PKR stands for new politics which has human rights as its core values which upholds privacy and transcends gender and class.
“New politics also means we rise above gutter politics,” Wong said.
After the press conference, Wong was ushered out of the room by party leaders from PKR, DAP and PAS, making it impossible for journalists to ask any questions.
The party leaders present at the press conference were PKR vice-president R Sivarasa, supreme council members Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Irene Fernandez, and Wanita chief Zuraidah Kamaruddin. Also present were DAP Wanita national secretary Teresa Kok and PAS women’s wing chief Noridah Salleh.
After the press conference, Wong went into a meeting with Sivarasa. At 12.35pm, she left the PKR headquarters without speaking to reporters.
Party leaders to decide
PKR media coordinator Ginie Lim said PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim would discuss the matter and issue a statement later today.
Other leaders including from the Barisan Nasional (BN) have also condemned the smear campaign against Wong.
In a statement yesterday, Wong said the photos were taken without her consent, while she was asleep.
Wong is Wanita PKR information chief, and in the Selangor government, she is the exco in charge of tourism, environment and consumer affairs.
In the 2008 general election, Wong polled 12,125 votes against the incumbent assemblyperson, Gerakan’s Yong Dai Ying, who only secured 6,970 votes.
If Wong’s resignation is accepted, another by-election will be in the offing. Already, by-elections are scheduled for the Bukit Gantang seat in Perak because of the death of a Member of Parliament and the Bukit Selambau seat in Kedah because of the assemblyperson’s resignation.
Both by-elections will be held on 7 April. 
woman says
No one should be ashamed of their sexuality. If all politicians want to be so “clean”, then we should be electing monks, priests, nuns and those who gave up sex as politicians.
However, please stay strong. If PKR is just like MCA or Umno in having the same policy on this issue, then our country is in hopeless state! No one will protect the rakyat. The message is so clear…. be submissive & oppressed to live one day on earth. There is no freedom.
What’s new?
Eric says
Dear Selangor MB,
Time for you to show leadership and reject her resignation. We Selangor people need every talented, hard-working and principled reps like Elizabeth Wong. Make her fight this disgusting slur!
What country is this where competent and dedicated ADUNs resign over petty non-work-related matters while tainted frogs get to stay on?
magician says
As mature and responsible rakyat, we must support Elizabeth and strongly reject her offer to resign. If we continue to succumb to these low moral politics, then as a nation we will lose out. We cannot show support for peeping toms and porno perverts to bring down our elected leaders. If we allow her to resign, then we are accepting this infringement of privacy .
As for Khir Toyo asking for her resignation – he should have a good look into the mirror. He should take a moment and just imagine how he would feel if his wife’s nude photos were taken without her consent and circulated.
MB Khalid – Please reject her OFFER to resign .
Sandra says
There’s no need for Elizabeth to resign… since when was sleeping in the nude, in the privacy of her own home, a crime? I sleep in the nude. My girl friends sleep in the nude. Big deal. The real crime here is how the perpetrators who violated Elizabeth’s dignity and privacy aren’t being sufficiently spotlighted by the media. But I have faith that this site will provide that sort of balanced coverage.
Lainie says
Oh, bloody hell.
Indignant says
This is ridiculous. Isn’t it obvious that it’s the Barisan Nasional who are naked, not Elizabeth Wong??
Lakshmi G says
Don’ resign, Elizabeth. Show your enemies you are made of sterner stuff and teach them the meaning of dignity and pride.
You are a great leader and it would be a loss to the public if you are cowed into this.
LC Teh says
I expect PKR & PR to unanimously stand behind Ms Wong, otherwise there will be no end to such gutter political manipulations in future. Make a tough stand now or PR will become history and Malaysia will sink back into the dark ages.
Norizam Aziz says
YB EW,
Tolong pertimbangkan semula hasrat YB untuk melepaskan jawatan. Sekiranya YB masih memikirkan perlu untuk meletakkan jawatan, sila lakukannya selepas 7 April supaya tarikh pengundian tidak dibuat pada 7 April.
Karcy says
While I understand Elizabeth Wong’s decision, this move has been nothing but a shameful step that moves the place of women in politics backwards, not forwards.
By doing this, she has given a message to all would-be shamers of women out there that a woman can be bullied, manipulated, and cowed into backing out of their position by using their bodies and sexualities against them.
What is to prevent another chauvinist from attempting to shame women in power by capturing them in various states of undress, of revealing their sexual lives up to the public? Obviously, it has worked before!
When we find the man that is responsible, he should be severely punished.
mw says
I am dissappointed at Khalid’s lack of clear support for EW till now. He seems to be a true blue corporate man, making “safe” soundbites.
arunpmr says
Why everyone is so interested in other people’s personal problems? If a person sleeps in the nude is it wrong? She has done a lot better than any BN Aduns and MPs.
Salau says
The true moment when we will see the leadership of Pakatan Rakyat. Does the alliance really walk the values it has been talking about or is PR just another convenient political setup with a different coat from BN/Umno, but down under, just the same?
xgovtservant says
It is very important that the constitution be amended to allow for those resigning to stand for reelection. Let the people decide if they want an Adun or MP who is just an ordinary human with his share of likes and dislikes. Eli can recontest as an independent and get the mandate from the people.
xgovtservant says
This is a human weakness exploited. The traditional media have a field day – why don’t they do investigative reporting on the hundreds of corruption cases and abuse of power by those in power? People have elected her as a representative of PKR. Go back to the people for their vote. Amend the rules to allow her to stand for her seat. If PKR does not accept her, stand as a Independent. If the people want her, she wins. Once she is in, no one has the right to say what she did was wrong. Clinton is still respected after what he did. Recently we gave him a standing ovation here (with a big appearance fee). Many Umno and PAS people (men) in similar situations are sill around. If you are hard working, honest and have the trust of the people, nothing should stop you from serving the people. People who have lost the trust of the rakyat should shut up.
bay-aim says
Mereka ini memang tak ada cara lain dah nak take-over kerajaan negeri PR. Itulah caranya. Rosakkan imej YB-YB PR. Dah habis modal dah tu. Itulah cara Najib dan rakan-rakannya nak rosakkan PR. Ingat BN! Makin ditekan, makin PR melawan!
man says
Hey people, how should you gain all the people’s confidence in you (the Barisan that we call the government)?
Just focus on all the people’s needs, infrastructure, welfare, subsidies, education,
budgeting, economics, etc. There are a lot of things to do!
Why is the whole country now obsessed with just one person’s privacy?
There are a lot of nudity things outside there, in the sophisticated phones, vcds, internet. Among of these are our local girls. Why don’t you take action on all our girls getting nude, having sex with their husbands and boyfriends, even their fiances? If you are in their position, you would say “some other people sabotaged us” etc. And you’d feel no guilt for this because you have your own privacy! Do you want your lifestyle always being watched by other people? Even when you are taking baths, making love with your partners, changing your pants, etc? Of course not!
Are your daughters, mothers, grandmothers, granddaughters, all clean from the same crisis as EW? Nobody is perfect! Just accept who we are and who they are. If you always “jaga tepi kain orang”, you are still inside the box and nowhere can you go from this habit. You will live in no freedom in this independent country!
We are normal people who are always doing wrong and we are even sabotaged by other people to make it appear that we are doing wrong. Who cares? Let’s all of us, rakyat Malaysia, move on to the next level for our mission this coming 2020! We give the people and country priority to get ready for this great mission. Whoever we are, “pembangkang” or “kerajaan”, we are in the same position, same target, same mission! So about this thing, think deeply from the basics for all the parties in Malaysia. Then you will agree with me.
So at last, my thought and my advice is, don’t give up EW, no need to quit. Don’t care what people say about you, people are always looking for the wrongs and bad things that we have done even once, BUT people always forget when we do good things, the best things for them.
Malaysia Lady says
Dear Elizabeth,
This is the first time in my life that I am writing a comment on a politician. I find that you shouldn’t RESIGN. Please think twice. There are many people who need you and you don’t have to be ashamed of all those stupid idiots’ trap. Remember we are human. And after all that is your personal life.
Why BN people can do such thing and still go onstage? Where have all the DVDs been? And now nothing happened to them and why must they make it so serious? Can you see the different between you and BN? Please Elizabeth, Malaysia needs you.
We pray so hard and we are very happy with the results and don’t, because of the stupid trap, give up. Please read all the comments.
bobitta says
The sick person who posted that nude video obviously screams for attention and needs psychiatric help, must be thoroughly investigated and tried.
abubaker says
Elizabeth need not resign. If the resignation becomes a reality, then her resignation will add more honour and respect for her.
Elizabeth has wisdom and maturity of mind as a leader of example.
khairul rimy says
Elizabeth, you must be strong. This is a political agenda. I still await you all time. PR!
AMK Rawang.