Penang PKR will not initiate any internal probe into the short text messages (SMS) circulated recently alleging that a party representative had sodomised his ex-wife, said its chief Zahrain Md Hashim.

Instead, he said, the party state leadership had left it to the police to investigate the report lodged by Batu Uban assemblyperson S Raveentharan a few days ago.

lim guan eng zahrain hashim pkr dap penang meet 070709 01 Zahrain ( right ) said he had no clue as to who would have been behind those SMS, but he agrees that it was designed with malicious intent to "undermine Raveentharan's credibility."

"It could be internal or external forces behind those malicious SMS. One thing for sure is that those behind the SMS are against Raveentharan and want to destroy his political career," he told Malaysiakini .

Zahrain said he was duty bound to protect all party elected representatives in Penang, including Raveentharan.

He said he had discussed the issue with Raveentharan a few days ago and advised the assemblyperson to lodge a police report.

"The party cannot investigate the issue because we are unsure where to start. Let the police investigate... they are professionals. We will pick up from there," he added.

'Sodomy suit filed'

At least two SMS were widely circulated in Penang during the recent Deepavali festive period alleging Raveentharan of sodomising his former wife.

penang pkr adun raveentharan police report The first SMS claimed that Raveentharan's ex-wife had filed a civil suit based on the sodomy incident against him at the Sessions Court.

The SMS also said that the woman would call for a press conference on Wednesday (Oct 21) at 6pm outside the state legislative assembly building.

The second SMS claimed that Raveentharan ( left ) had threatened his ex-wife and promised to pay her RM50,000 to ensure that she would not be present at the press conference.

The press conference however, never took place when reporters gathered at the scheduled venue and time.

The assemblyperson had already lodged a police report and wants an investigation into those behind the SMS.

Attempt to tarnish image

At a press conference on Wednesday night, Raveentharan said he had revealed several suspects’ names and a phone number to the police to assist in their investigation .

He has said that the SMS were maliciously circulated to portray an immoral picture of him as a state representative and lawyer.

He said he was separated from his estranged wife in 2001 and divorced her two years later. "I have not seen her since then," he told reporters.

Contacted last night, the Batu Uban representative said he would not comment further on the issue and would let the police handle the matter.

The police are investigating the case under Section 499 of the Penal Code for defamation.

Raveentharan said he would not be perturbed if any party members were to bring up the issue at the state and national party leadership levels to initiate an internal investigation.

"Yes, they should take it up... the truth will prevail," stressed the state PKR vice-chairperson and national deputy secretary-general.