SHAH ALAM, Feb 18 – There is still a glimmer of hope for the political future of Elizabeth Wong, who offered to resign yesterday as state executive councillor and Bukit Lanjan assemblyman after semi-naked pictures of her were circulated to the press.
According to PKR insiders, the embattled Wong may be allowed to continue as Bukit Lanjan assemblyman but will relinquish her executive council position in the Selangor Government.
Given the wave of public support expressed for Wong and circulating in cyberspace, PKR leaders have no doubt that they will be able to retain the Bukit Lanjan seat if a by-election is called.
However the compromise will allow Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to avoid another costly by-election while salvaging Wong’s political career and pacifying her supporters within PKR.
“Our resources are limited and are already being stretched by the upcoming by-elections in Perak and Kedah.
“We can ill afford another in Selangor, despite our good chances of retaining the seat,” said the source.
Meanwhile Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim yesterday told The Malaysian Insider he was open to the idea of Wong only relinquishing her executive council position.
However Khalid said he would seek the advice of the Selangor Ruler and discuss the matter with the state executive council before making any decision.
“I accept her stand (to resign) but I will not make a decision at this point.”
Khalid said Wong was a victim but her willingness to resign from all posts is a selfless decision on her part to protect PKR because she is well aware that BN will continue to exploit the issue to damage the party.
“I sense the trauma she is going through which will leave an (emotional) scar on her, more so since she is a woman, and we need to understand what she is going through.”
However he added that he was confident that Wong had the fortitude to overcome the challenges.
Khalid said he hopes the culprits responsible for circulating the pictures of Wong and the politicians who are exploiting the issue are brought to task.
“Their character and intelligence is below the norms of sensible society.”
Khalid said politics was sometimes a dirty business but the politicians using the issues were compromising themselves and the generation they represent.
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