In my opinion, Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman has never been as popular and good as the government-controlled media portrayed her to be regardless of the allegations made by Khalid Jafri and Perdana Sari.

When Dewan Tengku Chancellor (DTC) in Universiti Malaya was razed last year, Azalina immediately demanded the resignation of vice-chancellor Prof Dr Anuar Zaini Mohd Zain, even before any investigation was made. Fortunately, Anuar was firm and rebutted her publicly.

It is a shameful blemish in Azalina's political career record. Her childish arrogance stems from the fact that she is only answerable to the Umno president and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. If she were indeed a 'modern and progressive' youth leader, she should have opposed the decision to force all undergraduates and academic staff to sign the Akujanji (loyalty) pledge.

Despite her attire and education as a lawyer, she is no liberal or democrat. She is just a daughter of elitist parents trying to maintain the autocratic status quo. Thus, while I don't condone yellow journalism, I don't sympathise with Azalina as well.

I only pity those innocent young Malay girls who are being made use by her and Mahathir for their power struggles. The young Malay girls should put their time to better use improving their English language and other marketable skills.