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.
Copies of the photographs were sent to a number of newspapers last week, in what appears to be an orchestrated attempt to smear her image.
Elizabeth Wong: Nude photos scandal victim (Kwongwah.com.my)
I was informed on Friday, Feb 13, 2009 by journalists from the Malay Mail that they have in their possession intimate photos of myself and that the newspaper will be publishing a story about these photographs.
I was told that some people are trying to distribute photos/videos showing me asleep in partial nudity and also in intimate positions.
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?
I am a victim in this incident.I have yesterday lodged a police report in relation to this matter and I will fully cooperate with the police in their investigation. I will therefore not speculate publicly about those responsible for this gross invasion of my privacy.
Malaysia Selangor State Assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong (Flickr.com)
Though Elizabeth Wong was called to relinquish all her posts by Khir Toyo, a controversial politician whose false accusation led to Teresa Kok, another top assemblywoman in Selangor detained by the police under Malaysia's infamous Internal Security Act, she refused to do so and said she would continue to serving the people of Selangor faithfully.
“For the past 11 months she has carried out her duties diligently and I have full confidence that she will continue to perform her duties and responsibilities. Wong has a right to privacy in her personal life and should be respected by all. Her Exco colleagues and I will give her support during these trying times.”Except Khir Toyo, some other politicians in the his alliance Barisan Nasional (BN) offered their sympathies for Elizabeth Wong:
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.”Head of Women Wing of Malaysia Chinese Association's, a BN component party, condemned circulation of Elizabeth Wong’s nude pix
“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.
MCA Wanita chief Datin Chew Mei Fun took to task the person or persons responsible for circulating nude pictures of her and said the act was an outright invasion of privacy of women as well as an exploitation of women for political use.Update: Elizabeth Wong offered to resign as exco member and State Assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan in the interest of her party. She announced her decision in a press release in Kuala Lumpur Feb. 27, 2009 while breaking down to tears.
“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 for political use,” she said in a statement here in the light Wong’s nude pictures, which are currently being circulated on Internet, allegedly by her spurned lover and some quarters trying to kill her off politically.
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.
“We would like to advise all women to be cautious. We also urge the government to strictly enforce implementation of the Act which provides for punitive measures so that it becomes a real deterrent against such detestable behaviour,” she added.
Elizabeth Wong: "I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person." Picture: TheMalaysiaInsider.com The events of the past two days have shown an insidious and underhanded attempt by certain quarters to smear my reputation. My personal life and privacy have been violated.
These people have conspired to undermine my credibility both as a Selangor State Exco Member as well as a Keadilan leader. Although the smear campaign directed towards me has caused me a lot of anguish, I am aware that the real objective is to discredit Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
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. I stand by the fundamental principle in a democracy that everyone has a right to privacy.
Parti KeADILan Rakyat stands for ‘new’ politics that holds justice and human rights as core values which transcend gender, ethnicity and class. ‘New’ politics also means we rise above gutter politics.
It is precisely this that I believe that these attacks will continue with greater intensity, and I have no doubt that Umno and Barisan Nasional will 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.
I have received overwhelming support from my family, my constituents, Pakatan Rakyat colleagues, friends and the general public. However, in the interest of my party, I have decided to offer my resignation as a Selangor State Exco Member as well as the State Assemblywoman for Bukit Lanjan.
I will discuss with the Menteri Besar to arrange for the proper handover of my responsibilities. I will continue to serve the people and fight for justice in Malaysia.
Last but not least, I am very grateful to the people who have placed their trust in me and my party, and I thank them for the opportunity that they have given me to serve. Words cannot possibly express my eternal gratitude to outstanding staff members and fellow ADUNs, and most of all, my Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim who has given me his unwavering support and the opportunity to work with him.
If I have let anyone down or offended anyone, I offer my sincere apologies.
ELIZABETH WONG
ADUN BUKIT LANJAN
EXCO for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment
Update: Selangor Chief Minister Khalid Ibrahim confirmed that he had received Wong’s resignation letter and said he would seek guidance the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s views on Wong’s decision to resign. Khalid who praised Wong as an examplary Exco also said he granted Wong a leave and have a deserved rest.
Update: Annwar Ibrahim, Malaysia Parliament Opposition Leader and Parti Keadian Rakayat, said at a press conference that he wanted Elizabeth Wong to reconsider quit decision. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today asked embattled Selangor state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong to rethink her decision to quit following the circulation of her naked photographs.Update: "Scandolous" Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping photos found on an adult website, but we won't post the link here. If one believes there is of any problem for the picture below, what I want to assert is the only problem is the person who voyuered and photographed Elizabeth Wong.
“Elizabeth Wong has spoken at length to Azizah and me. We have discussed the issues and we understand her reasons and the decision she has taken,” said Anwar, referring to his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail.
“We have asked Eli to go on leave, we will meet her again to discuss,” Anwar told reporters at a press conference here.
He described Wong as a very important figure in the Selangor government with an excellent track record.
“Eli is a very responsible leader, has been with the party since its inception and I appreciate the widespread support for her to stay. We will invite her again and see what is best,” said Anwar.
Stay strong, Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping! Want to show your support to Eli Wong? Feel free to leave comments below!