Puteri Umno member Ummi Hafilda Ali ( photo ) today pleaded "not guilty" to breaching Umno members' code of ethics before a three-member panel of the party's disciplinary committee.

She was queried for allegedly making seditious statements against Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said in a media conference she organised at Sri Hartamas on Oct 10.

Ummi was charged under article 4.1 of the members' code of ethics, which forbids members from using the media to slam their fellow members.

She was accompanied by another member, Elly Zalilah Mohd Yusof, who acted as her witness.

Ummi came through a 30-minute hearing at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning as determined as ever to continue her crusade against Azalina.

'Guilty' yet 'not guilty'

Looking rather pleased with herself, Ummi told reporters later that she represented herself before the panel headed by party veteran Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen.

Stressing that she was prepared for the consequences, the businesswoman claimed she only wanted the truth to be known about Azalina to save Puteri Umno from being led by an "immoral" leader.

"I know I am guilty of the charges but I cannot plead guilty before the committee because they will have to decide whether I am guilty or not," she said.

It could not be ascertained how long the committee will take to deliberate on this as they could not be reached for comment.

If found guilty, Ummi is likely to receive a similar sentence imposed on Elly early this month.

Elly ( photo ) was found guilty of breaching article 3 of Umno's code of ethics by using force and threats against Azalina with the purpose of stopping other members from supporting her candidacy, and article 4.1. She was dealt with a three-year suspension of her nomination, voting and appointment rights in the party.

Ummi said, "It is okay if the party wants to take action against me. That will not stop me from telling the truth and the truth must be told.

"Let them sack me from the party if they want to. Even (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) was once sacked from the party, but he is our prime minister today."

Police report

In 1998, Ummi convinced Mahathir, who is also the Umno president, that his then deputy Anwar Ibrahim was a homosexual. She later became a key witness in his corruption and sodomy trials which concluded with Anwar being sent to jail for 15 years.

Ummi also plans to lodge a police report ahead of Puteri Umno's inaugural election on Nov 1 and produce witnesses before the prime minister on Azalina's immoral activities.

"However, I will not extend my report to the party's disciplinary committee because I do not want to be told that such allegations are 'outside its jurisdiction'," she added.

That was the answer given by the disciplinary committee that found Elly guilty of breaching the party's code of ethics, with regard to her complaints against Azalina.

Ummi, 35, was an aspirant for the Puteri Umno post but failed to secure the two nominations needed. Azalina won the post uncontested.

Azalina, ( photo ), handpicked by Mahathir to lead Puteri Umno, has been accused in Malay tabloid Perdana Sari of being a lesbian and of misappropriating the wing's funds. To date, she has yet to defend herself against the allegations.

In addition, Ummi also challenged Azalina to swear in the mosque to prove that she is innocent of both charges.

Last Friday, Mahathir made it clear that the party does not accept homosexual or lesbian culture among its leaders and that those found involved in such immoral acts will be booted out.