Controversial writer Khalid Jafri, who authored the book on why ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim cannot be the premier, is back. This time his target is Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman.

The newly launched Malay weekly tabloid, Perdana Sari , of which Khalid is the chief editor and publisher, has been publishing reports alleging that Azalina is a lesbian. The weekly, which hit the streets on March 31, had carried reports on Azalinas alleged affair in its second, third and fourth issues.

Its fourth issue dated April 21 front-paged a story and a picture of Azalinas alleged partner, accusing her of being the main culprit behind a series of resignations of Puteri Umno exco members, including two popular local artistes, Erra Fazira and Erma Fatima.

The tabloid identified Azalinas lover as a wife of a successful businessman and restaurateur in Kuala Lumpur. It also alleged that Azalina used Puteri Umnos funds to buy her partner a RM300,000 Mercedes Benz as a birthday gift.

Efforts to get comments from Azalina failed as she refused to answer calls from malaysiakini . She had earlier asked for the questions to be faxed over and to call her after that. However, Azalina refused to take any calls after the questions were sent to her.

Controversial book on Anwar

Khalids controversial book, 50 Dalil mengapa Anwar tidak boleh jadi PM (50 reasons why Anwar Ibrahim cannot become the PM) contains allegation of the then deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahims sexual misconduct, including sodomy.

Anwar was dismissed from his post on Sept 2, 1998 when he refused to resign after being accused of inappropriate behaviour following the publication of the book which was circulated during the Umno annual general meeting in June that year.

Anwar later took legal action against Khalid. The case is pending in the High Court.

Khalid, whose full name is Abdul Khalid @ Khalid Jafri Bakar Shah, last year authored a book on former finance minister Daim Zainuddin entitled Tun Daim penyangak wang negara (Tun Daim, squanderer of the countrys money), after Daims resignation.

Meanwhile, in a report published by a Malay online news provider, Agenda Daily , Khalid, 58, said he would stand by his reports and was prepared to face any legal action for publishing the report.

Proof

In defending his report, Khalid who is also the former editor of Utusan group, claimed that he has proof that can be produced in court should it come to that.

However, he said it was never his intention to tarnish the good image of Puteri Umno, insisting that his target is solely the Puteri chief.

Khalid could not be reached today for comment. According to the staff in his office in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, he would not be reporting in.

Meanwhile, several Umno leaders contacted by malaysiakini were hesitant to comment on the matter, saying that they were not aware of the reports in the tabloid.

One of them, who requested anonymity, said Umno leaders are natural public punching bags.

I hope they (party leaders) will be more patient. They have to ignore whatever accusations made against them and continue the good work [they are doing], he said.

It is believed that a campaign is being waged by some sections within Umno to oust newcomer and rising star Azalina, who is seen as a threat to veteran party leaders in the womens wing.