KeADILan assemblywoman for Bukit Lanjan has resigned her seat and also quit her post in the Selangor state executive council, following the illegal distribution of photos taken of her while asleep and in the nude.
The circulation of the photos, denounced as a ploy to kill the 37-year old’s political career, has shocked the nation and outraged womens’ groups, regardless of political camps and ethic background.
Said Chew Mei Fun, MCA Wanita chief: “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.”
“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.”
Said Lo’ Lo Ghazali, PAS MP for Titiwangsa: “Whose photographs would be circulated after this? It is as if these people who circulate such photographs have nothing better to do.”
Said Noraini Ahmad, Umno’s Deputy Human Resources Minister: “Regardless of who, we have to have respect their privacy and it has to be protected. We should also educate society to refrain from invading people’s privacy.”
Rising above gutter politics, to fight on for justice
Meanwhile, a highly traumatized Elizabeth thanked all those who showed her moral support throughout her ordeal, and promised to continue to fight for justice.
“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 has a right to privacy,” said Elizabeth, who broke down in tears as the press conference wore on.
“I am offering my resignation in the interest of the party. 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.
“I have received overwhelming support from my family, my constituents, colleagues in Pakatan Rakyat, friends and the public.
“I will discuss with Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to arrange for the proper hand over of my responsibilities. I will continue to serve the people and fight for justice.”
Anwar asks Elizabeth to reconsider
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has asked Elizabeth to reconsider, advising her to go on leave before making a final decision.
“Elizabeth has spoken at length to party president Wan Azizah and me. We have discussed the issues and we understand her reasons and the decision she has taken,” Anwar told a press conference.
“Eli is a very responsible leader and has been with the party since its inception. We appreciate the widespread support for her to stay. We will invite her again and see what is best.”
Khalid, too, has stood by her and plans to seek an audience to brief the Selangor Sultan first.
“This turn of event is unfortunate as YB Elizabeth Wong has been an exemplary exco member. I am sure Malaysians and the people of Selangor will reject the use of such shameful tactics and join me in condemning the desperate people responsible,” said Khalid.
If KeADILan accepts her resignation - or if she decides against staying - the Bukit Lanjan seat will fall vacant and a by-election would have to be called.
A former environmentalist and human rights activist, Elizabeth was a hardworking assemblywoman who was popular with her constituents and well-liked by her colleagues.
Despite the circulation of the photos around town and their publication in some of the Umno-BN controlled media, many Bukit Lanjan folk have urged her not to quit.
Civil society groups, coalition colleagues and many rival lawmakers too have stood by her, condemning the voyeurism as a gross invasion of her personal privacy. They have urged the police to act quickly.
Nevertheless, her critics have also called for her resignation, including Umno Youth chief aspirant Mohd Khir Toyo, who accused Elizabeth of immoral conduct.
Elizabeth was also the state executive councilor in charge of Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment, and information chief of the Women’s wing of KeADILan and of her Petaling Jaya Utara division.
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Suara KeADILan appends below a compilation of responses to news of the nude photos
Ramon Navaratnam, president of Transparency International Malaysia.
Why should she resign, why is it unmoral? It is the peeping toms with disgusting principles of their own who should quit. They should not be allowed to waste our time over such frivolous issues, when the whole economy is sinking like a stone.
Ragunath Kesavan, vice-president of the Bar Council
I do not see what scandal there is in a woman who was being photographed without her permission. A scandal implies that wrongs have been done. The only wrong that has been done here is the breach of her privacy.
Anwar Ibrahim, Opposition Leader
I 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.
The last few days must have been trying and stressful for her and her family. We hope the mass media will give her the breathing space she deserves.
Let us hear from Najib first on morality.
Zaid Ibrahim, former de-facto Law Minister
Politics is never clean, but this is a new level. I feel sorry for her, but whether she should stay or not is for her to decide.
Whether she should resign as a state assemblyman depends on the constituency. If they say she should not, she should not.
Personally, I don’t think she should resign as an assemblyman unless the people of Bukit Lanjan are so angry with her. If they can accept her, she should stay.
Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department
I sympathise with the executive councilor. This thing should have not happened as she is the people’s representative and she has been performing her duties.
Therefore, to foil what she has done for the community in this manner is not good. But I hope her spirits stay strong and she will not bother about what has happened.”
Chua Soi Lek, MCA deputy president
I can only say that she has my sympathy and support. I feel that she has done the right thing by offering to resign and I fully agree that everyone has the right to privacy.
Wong must stay strong and be brave to face the storm. This is not the end of the world.
Chew Mei Fun, MCA Wanita chief
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.
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.
Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Human Resources Minister
Regardless of who, we have to have respect their privacy and it has to be protected. We should also educate society to refrain from invading people’s privacy.
Teresa Kok, DAP leader and senior Selangor exco
Definitely each and every exco is going to be targeted and it is just a matter of who is next. Why should she resign? Our job is to serve the people.
It is not similar to the sex scandal involving former Health Minister Chua Soi Lek because he was a married man and he was engaged in something that was morally wrong. Wong is still single and this incident happened in her private life and in her private home. She did not steal another person’s husband or anything of that sort.”
Lo’ Lo Ghazali, PAS MP for Titiwangsa
Whose photographs would be circulated after this? It is as if these people who circulate such photographs have nothing better to do.
R Sivarasa, Subang MP
It is a gross invasion of privacy.
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