Politician in Malaysia nudity row quits

by Sanjay Jha | February 17, 2009 at 02:51 am

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A prominent Malaysian opposition politician has resigned after naked photos of her sleeping were circulated by mobile phone. The opposition politician Elizabeth Wong has quit all her positions, paving the way for a third by-election within the next two months. The scandal could jeopardise the political career of Ms Wong, who is known for her work on human rights issues.

Her decision, announced at the PKR headquarters here on Tuesday morning, came after PKR leaders met Monday night to discuss the scandal.
In a packed press conference, she told reporters she was resigning as the Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman and executive councillor for the Selangor state. She is a first-term assemblyman.

'I have done no wrong and I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law and everyone has a right to privacy," she said, breaking down in tears.

She refused to take any questions at the media conference.

Nude photographs of Ms Wong, 37, have been circulated in the last week. She did not say who took the photos but news reports have speculated that a former boyfriend could have done so.

The photographs reportedly show her sleeping with her clothes rumpled, and half covered by a sarong.

The Selangor state government headed by chief minister Khalid Ibrahim has yet to indicate if it will accept her resignation. It must also be tendered to the Sultan of Selangor.