Anwar: We'll decide after she returns from leave

PKR will make a decision on the status of Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong when she returns from extended leave, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said today.

Despite being pressed repeatedly, Anwar refused to give a direct answer as to how long the embattled politician will be on leave.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, he said: "I can only use the strongest possible terms to condemn the smear tactics against her. One can only wonder to what depths the people behind this will stoop to achieve their ends."

This was in reference to the circulation of nude photographs of Wong.

She has since lodged a police report and offered to resign from her exco post and as state assemblyperson for the Bukit Lanjan seat.

Anwar also described Wong as a responsible and courageous leader who has been with the party since 2004.

"She has spoken at length to (Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail, right) and me. We have discussed the issues and we understand her reasons and the decision she has taken."

“I have said to Eli that we will endeavour to protect her good name because it is already known she is an important leader in Selangor and she has a good working record.

“I spoke unofficially to Pakatan leaders yesterday and a while ago I was consulted by my colleagues and friends from PAS and DAP.”

Anwar said the top leaders of PAS and DAP have expressed their sympathy for her.

Wong (left), he said, has been asked to reconsider her offer to resign and a meeting will be held with her for a decision when she completes her break.

“The (Selangor) menteri besar (Khalid Ibrahim) has said he is giving her space. Like every normal human being she has (come under) strong pressure (in several quarters) including several websites which have tried to humiliate her completely.

“I have noticed that the Agenda Daily website has played up inappropriate photos of Eli and Khalid. This is evil and an attempt to ruin her image,” he said, asking if posting the photos is acceptable in this day and age.

“Don't force us to play the same political game, because I don't think we have come into the political field to smear people (over their) private lives, especially in one’s own bedroom,” he warned.

“I am personally disgusted with this level of gutter politics; you can bribe people, you can threaten, you can kidnap people and you can smear their character (and) it is all tolerated because it is done by Umno.”

'Evil and terrible political ploy'

Describing the incident involving Wong as an “evil and terrible political ploy”, a visibly upset Anwar hinted that it was an attempt by Umno to smear her image and a conspiracy to cause the downfall of the opposition.

“We realise there is a pattern that is attacking our representatives first in Perak, then Kedah and now Selangor,” he said, referring to recent police and graft reports by PKR’s former Bukit Selambau assemblyperson V Arumugam, who has vacated his seat.

“They (police) were very swift when they were looking for the truth in the statutory declaration by Arumugam (left), but the two earlier police reports by Arumugam about threats and attempts to bribe him have not been investigated.”

He called it blatant “hypocrisy and double standards” because “every time (the) opposition (is involved) they (police) are very swift and efficient”.

“The whole episode was turned into a circus. Now they demean and denigrate the character of one of our (most) competent leaders, but why is there no action?” he asked.

“That is why I am saying it is best for her (Wong) to reflect on this and we will invite her again (to discuss) what is best for her and the struggle.”

Asked if Wong's political career has come an end, Anwar noted: “She is a capable and tough lady, I believe she will withstand this.”

Lawmakers were also asked to comment on Wong’s offer to resign.

Ng Yen Yen, Women, Family and Community Development Minister and Raub MP

Why should she offer to quit? The photos that were taken are an intrusion of her privacy and it could easily happen to you or me.

To resign or not it is her choice because not everybody can withstand this kind of pressure. Nevertheless, we have to know the truth about these photographs.

Hishammuddin Hussein, Education Minister and Sembrong MP

This is a private matter but it has become a norm to use such tactics to bring down and smear the image of leaders.

However, this matter is a lesson to everybody and it shows the difficulty of being a leader.

Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS president and Marang MP

She has been accused of wrongdoing but one is not guilty until proven so. There must fair and just witnesses and investigations into the matter.

Wong should continue to hold onto her post (unless) she is proven guilty.

Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister and Bagan MP

There is too much attention to an issue of no relevance. Why is there so much interest on the victim rather than the perpetrator?

It is not up to us to make a moral judgement - let that be decided by God.

Dr Lo' Lo' Mohd Ghazali, PAS central committee member and Titiwangsa MP

I don't agree with Wong's offer to resign. This can happen to anybody even to me because we live in a glass house as people's representatives.

We all have the responsibility to work together to weed out this irresponsible act of distributing such photos