Newly launched tabloid Perdana Sari will temporary halt publishing articles concerning Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othmans alleged lesbianism and corrupt practices, said its publisher Kingdom Journal today.

This decision, according to a senior editor who declined to be named, was to allow the politician and her lover to tell their side of the story.

This move will also dismiss the perception that Perdana Sari carried those stories to boost circulation, he told malaysiakini when met at his office in Kuala Lumpur.

The weekly tabloid, launched on March 31, published articles concerning the alleged scandal in its second, third and fourth edition consecutively.

However, the matter gained prominence when the tabloid in its fourth issue  dated April 21  carried a front-page report on the love affair and a photograph of Azalinas alleged lover.

The report accused the woman  the wife of a prominent businessman  as being the culprit behind a series of resignations of Puteri Umno exco members, including two local artistes, Erra Fazira and Erma Fatima.

The tabloid also claimed that Azalina, utilising Puteri Umno funds, bought her lover a RM300,000 Mercedes Benz as a birthday gift.

Clarify matter

Meanwhile, the editor also said the tabloid would provide Azalina with the opportunity to clarify the matter if she has sufficient proof that the allegation is baseless.

However, he said, if Azalina continues to keep mum, Perdana Sari would continue to expose the issue as it is a matter of public interest.

It is best for Azalina, as the head of Puteri Umno  a wing of the ruling party Umno  to come forward to publicly refute the allegation, he added.

Stressing that they have enough evidence to contest any legal action on the matter, the editor said it was never the tabloids intention to tarnish Puteri Umnos image, as the target is only its chief.

Kingdom Journals owner, publisher-cum-editor- in-chief Khalid Jafri, could not be reached for comment.

Controversial author

Khalid landed in the limelight in 1998 when his book 50 Dalil Kenapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM was circulated during the Umno annual general assembly in June of that year.

The book listed 50 reasons as to why jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim could not become the prime minister, among them was his homosexuality.

Three months later, Anwar was sacked from his cabinet and party positions on corruption and sexual grounds.

He was later charged for these and is currently serving a nine-year-jail term at the Sungai Buloh prison.

Anwar has also filed a defamation suit against Khalid and the case is pending at the High Court.

Dirty campaign waged

Last year, Khalid, whose full name is Abdul Khalid @ Khalid Jafri Bakar Shah, authored another book, this time on former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

The book, Tun Daim penyangak wang negara (Daim, squanderer of the nations money), was published after the former minister resigned last June.

It is believed that a campaign is being waged by some sections within Umno to oust newcomer and rising star Azalina, who is seen as a threat to veteran party leaders in the womens wing.

New tabloid targets Puteri Umno chief, alleges improper conduct