Opposition party Keadilan today expressed unexpected support for maligned Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said over articles published by a tabloid alleging her lesbian relationship and embezzlement of organisation funds.

"Keadilan, which adheres to new politics and upholds principles of truth and justice, stresses that to humiliate someone by exposing their personal affairs in the media is unjust," said the party's Wanita chief Fuziah Salleh during a press conference at the Keadilan headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

Fuziah, who had previously expressed criticism over Azalina and her setting up of Puteri Umno, appeared to have found a common 'adversary' with the latter in the form of writer Khalid Jafri who wrote the articles published in Malay weekly tabloid Perdana Sari .

An article which appeared the April 21 issue of Perdana Sari alleged that Azalina was party to a lesbian affair, and had purchased a luxury car costing RM300,000 with Puteri Umno funds for her supposed 'lover'.

Khalid also authored a controversial book, 50 Dalil mengapa Anwar tidak boleh jadi PM (50 reasons why Anwar Ibrahim cannot become the PM), which contains allegations of the then deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's sexual misconduct, including sodomy.

Dirty tactics

The book which was distributed during the Umno annual general meeting in June 1998 resulted in the sacking of Anwar three months later for "inappropriate behaviour".

"Once more, we find that Khalid Jafri has used these irresponsible and dirty tactics, by manipulating the media, by personally attacking certain individuals.

"Wanita Keadilan asks if this news has been published for the political self-interest of another individual?" said Fuziah.

However, the Wanita chief stressed that Keadilan is not passing judgment on whether the allegations are true or otherwise.

"I am not saying she is right, or if she committed (the alleged acts). But the right systems should be used to check these allegations," said Fuziah.

"Khalid should make a complaint to the police and the Anti-Corruption Agency. The right systems and mechanisms should be used to arrive at the truth," added Wanita Keadilan deputy president Irene Fernandez who was also present at the press conference.

Advice for Azalina

Wanita Keadilan also urged for Azalina to clarify the matter as she is accountable to the public.

"(We) advise Azalina to resign immediately if the allegations are true, and if they are false, she should take legal action against Perdana Sari ," said Fuziah.

She also said the manner in which Azalina was attacked is "synonymous with old order politics practised by Umno" as only Umno is able to be involved in such dirty tactics.

"This old political culture is such that if some choose not to reveal [a controversial issue], then [the issue] is 'okay' but if [it is] exposed, then [it becomes] unacceptable," she said.

According to her, it is evident that certain factions within Umno have no compunction in sacrificing the party's reputation even though their infighting will eventually benefit the Barisan Alternatif.

"We are also asking what are the women in Umno and Barisan Nasional doing about this?" challenged Fuziah.

Home ministry criticised

Meanwhile, the Wanita chief also criticised the Home Affairs Ministry for being used in Umno's dirty politics by approving a KDN publishing permit for Perdana Sari .

"We consider [this paper] trash. [Yet] other credible papers have been blocked from publication," added Fuziah.

"The media has to be accountable and cannot abuse the opportunities of expression. This is not the kind of media that we want within a democratic society," she asserted.

Perdana Sari was launched on March 31 and had published incessant attacks on Azalina in its second, third and fourth (latest) issues.

The tabloid's editor told malaysiakini on Wednesday that the paper would provide Azalina with the opportunity to clarify the matter if she has sufficient proof that the allegation is baseless.

However, he said, if Azalina continues to keep mum, Perdana Sari will continue to expose the issue as it is a matter of public interest.

Azalina has refused to answer malaysiakini 's queries on the issue.

Explain charges or expos to continue, Azalina told

New tabloid targets Puteri Umno chief, alleges improper conduct