Puteri Umno members who are against the wing's pro tem chief Azalina Othman Said unloaded their grouses to the Umno disciplinary committee today.

The five were said to be glad for having this opportunity as past complaints to top party leaders fell on deaf ears.

The disciplinary committee heard the case of Elly@Zalilah Mohd Yusorf, who was slapped with a show-cause letter for breaching party ethics by exposing the alleged wrongdoings of the Puteri Umno chief at a press conference.

Four others Maz Ayu Mahadi, Rohaya Attan, Nazariah Said and Salina Azhar were called as witnesses.

The marathon seven-hour hearing at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, was chaired by party disciplinary chief Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen.

When contacted this evening, Maz Ayu said that the committee did not make a decision on the case.

"Elly pleaded not guilty to the charge against her," added the wing's former executive secretary.

Maz Ayu said there were also witnesses representing the Puteri Umno chief at the hearing, who wanted to "prosecute" Azalina's detractor.

Discrepancies

At the press conference held on Sept 12, Elly a former close aide of the Puteri Umno chief raised a number of discrepancies in the wing.

She questioned why the wing's vehicles were registered under the names of people with no ties to Puteri Umno.

Elly claimed the wing had three different bank accounts and alleged that funds raised for Afghan refugees by the wing had gone missing.

She also added that Azalina resorted to strong-arm tactics to intimidate her political foes.

Elly also told the media that she informed a "high ranking" Umno leader about these discrepancies but was told to lodge police report which she did prior to the press conference.

Malaysiakini learnt that Puteri Umno leaders aligned to Azalina sent a letter to the party disciplinary committee complaining about the revelation.

Elly is part of a group known as 'Enam Jahanam' (Wicked Six) which consist mostly of exco members sacked by Azalina.

Elly when contacted declined to comment on today's hearing. Puteri exco member Norzalizah Alias who represented Azalina also remained tightlipped about the proceedings.

Puteri Umno was formed two years ago in order to attract younger Malay women into the Umno fold.

Azalina, a lawyer by profession, was handpicked by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to lead the wing.

Trouble began to brew in April when a Malay tabloid, Perdana Sari claimed that Azalina was a lesbian and had purchased a luxury car for her lover using the wing's funds.

The crisis flared in recent weeks in the run-up to the wing's inaugural election which will be held on Nov 1.

So far five members expressed their desire to contest for the top post but have yet to receive a single nomination from the wing's divisions, while Azalina has bagged 52 nominations.

The wing's constitution states that in order to be eligible to contest, a candidate must receive a minimum of two nominations.