Eli continues to attract sympathy

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong continues to attract sympathy from various groups including non-governmental organisations.

While condemning the distribution the pictures as violating a woman’s privacy, they also called on the authorities to promptly investigate and resolve the matter.

Wanita Gerakan chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe said the police must quickly and thoroughly investigate the matter and to bring to book “the culprit or culprits behind this irresponsible act that has violated her privacy”.

“The decisive action by the police will deter future incidents and protect all Malaysians, especially women, from such an invasion of their privacy,” she said in a statement here, today.

Tan also said that Wong needed not resign, and cautioned all women to be careful and be constantly vigilant against unscrupulous people who would stop at nothing to smear the image of any individual.

Federal Territory Gerakan legal bureau head Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu said the distribution of the nude and partially nude photographs of Wong must be strongly condemned as it caused embarrassment of the highest order to a lady.

“Immediately after this so called ‘scandal’ broke out, there were comments by certain quarters questioning Wong’s decency and calling for her resignation, notwithstanding the circumstances leading to the snapping of these photographs.

“We urge all parties to refrain from making any suggestion to futher demoralise and victimise Wong and causing her career downfall until the final investigation is completed or some other evidence surface thereafter,” she said.

Baljit urged the authority to take punitive action against those responsible.

Wanita Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Zuraida Kamaruddin demanded “a just and thorough investigation” and called on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The gross violation of basic human right and privacy of politicians or any mmber of the society is not part of a culture that values good morality,” she aid.

Meanwhile, several student associations, including the Malaysian graduates olidarity, Malaysian youth and student democratic movement and the University Malaya Islamic students association also condemned the distribution of the nude pictures.

Wong, 37, who is Selangor executive councillor in charge of tourism, consumer affairs and environment, has offered to resign the post and as Bukit Lanjan assemblyman. — Bernama