A key witness in Anwar Ibrahim's corruption trial, Ummi Hafilda Ali today urged Umno leaders to fully investigate all allegations against Puteri Umno pro-tem chief Azalina Othman Said in order to ensure that "justice" is given to the sacked deputy prime minister.

Ummi Hafilda, 35, who offered herself as the fifth candidate for Puteri Umno top post yesterday, said that the absence of investigation on Azalina would only reflect a double standard in Umno, and "would not do justice" to Anwar.

A controversial figure once dubbed as "Malaysia's Monica Lewinsky", Ummi played a major role in bringing down Anwar from a political star to a prisoner, where he is currently serving a 15- year jail sentence in Sungai Buloh prison.

"What is the difference between a woman who is alleged to be a lesbian and a man who is a alleged to be a homosexual, especially when the allegation came from the very same person?" questioned Ummi Hafilda, when contacted by malaysiakini .

Although she is satisfied that Anwar has been proven guilty, Ummi Hafilda said it is "unfair" for him to be in prison while another Umno leader, also accused of immoral activities, is allowed to go about freely without having to defend herself.

"While Anwar has the guts to defend himself, I am very disappointed that Azalina failed to do the same but simply hide behind top Umno leaders," stressed Ummi Hafilda.

Major liability

Ummi Hafilda, who once claimed in court that she is a virgin, said Azalina's immoral behaviour as claimed by author Khalid Jeffri has become a major liability in Puteri Umno as it discourages young women from joining the two-year-old wing.

In 1998, Khalid had authored a book "50 Dalil Kenapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi Perdana Menteri" (50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Become Prime Minister), which led to the downfall of Anwar, who was then Dr Mahathir Mohamad's deputy and finance minister.

In April this year, Khalid, through his weekly tabloid Perdana Sari , once again shocked the nation when he alleged that Azalina who was handpicked by Mahathir to lead the wing is a lesbian and named her lover who is the wife of a prominent businessman.

Besides, the former Utusan Malaysia editor also claimed that Azalina had misused RM300,000 from Puteri Umno fund to buy a luxury car for her lover.

Two weeks ago, Azalina's one-time close aide Elly Zalilah Yusof lodged two separate reports to the police and Umno management committee on Azalina's misconduct.

Clean up Puteri's image

Among others, Elly questioned why Azalina had registered the wing's four vehicles under her brother's and girlfriend's names, having three-separate accounts for Puteri Umno and where the money raised for the Afghanistan fund went to.

"Umno leaders must immediately investigate allegations against Azalina to clean up the movement's image," said Ummi Hafilda.

"If a deputy prime minister can be investigated up to the highest level, what is so great about Puteri Umno pro-tem chief?" she queried.

Using Mahathir as an exemplary leader, Ummi Hafilda said one should not hide any skeleton in her closet if one intends to become a leader.

"If Azalina thinks that she is clean, then she must openly deny all allegations against her," said the Hulu Klang Umno member for 10 years.

Nothing to hide

While admitting that opposition supporters hate her like anything for what she had done for Umno (to bring down Anwar), the businesswoman claimed that she has contributed greatly to the Malay-based party.

"At least, I am clean and have nothing to hide like Azalina," Ummi Hafilda added.

After going through the worst times of her life as the price for being a key witness in Anwar's trial, Ummi Hafilda said she has now regained her strength to appear in public and lead the youngsters in Umno.

"As someone who has faced numerous death threats before, I have nothing to fear now but believe in myself that I can become a very good leader," Ummi Hafilda added.

"I am sure that Puteri (Umno) members who can appreciated my contribution to the party would want to have me as their leader."

Unite against common enemy

On the other potential candidates who had expressed their wish to challenge Azalina, Ummi Hafilda said they all should unite to face their "common enemy".

The three are Mastina Abdul Hamid 31, Raihan Suleiman Palestine 35 and Mazibah Mohd Zin 39. They had publicly declared their intention to take on the 38-year-old lawyer for the top post in Puteri Umno.

While Azalina has received 30 nominations so far, her potential challengers have yet to obtain any. A candidate only needs two nominations to contest in the Nov 1 inaugural election.

Puteri Umno's 165 divisions nation-wide must meet between Sept 16 and Oct 15 to nominate their choices for the wing's new line-up.