Pro-Umno quarters are pointing the finger at former Puteri Umno pro-tem committee members as the possible instigators behind the publication of reports by a weekly tabloid which accused Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman of sexual misconduct and misappropriation of party funds.

Although no one was certain about it, sources familiar with Puteri Umno said these members were suspected as they had earlier relinquished their posts due to differences of opinion on Azalinas style of handling the movement.

The recently-launched Malay weekly tabloid, Perdana Sari , of which Khalid Jafri 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 also 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 the 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.

Resignations

Since its launch in August last year, the Puteri Umno exco has been facing a high turnover rate.

The latest were the resignations of Erra Fazira and Erma Fatima, which fuelled talk of an internal crisis within the Puteri Umno leadership.

When Puteri Umno was formed, it was headed by Azalina. The others in the original exco lineup were Noraini Ahmad (assistant secretary), Mastina Abdul Hamid (information chief), Raja Emylia Raja Lope (assistant treasurer) and Nazariah Said (executive secretary). The three have since relinquished their posts.

Another two exco members  Norliza Abu Hassan and Siti Rohaya Atan  are said to be no longer active and have been asked by Azalina on several occasions to relinquish their post.

The remaining three in the original lineup are Habibah Mohd Shariff, Norhamizah Mat Tahir and Syarifah Syahirah Syed Sheikh. Norhamizah and Syarifah Syahirah are said to be getting along well with Azalina.

Within a year of formation, the post of Puteri Umnos assistant treasurer and executive secretary have changed hands thrice.