An audio cassette containing conversations regarding Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said's alleged homosexuality is now in the hands of a top Umno leader, according to a police report lodged yesterday.

Malaysiakini learnt that the conversations were between Azalina's 'lover' the wife of a prominent businessman and several other Puteri Umno members.

The report was lodged with the Dang Wangi district police headquarters by another wing member, who said today that she wanted to expose the 'immoral' behaviour of the leader.

The member, who declined to be named, said several Puteri Umno exco members were called by Azalina's 'lover' to discuss ways to break the relationship between Azalina (left) and another former exco member, Erma Fatima (right).

She said Azalina's 'lover' was jealous and suspected the two of having an affair, which the member said was not true.

"Besides this, Azalina has also admitted to a Puteri Umno member that she is a lesbian while seeking for help during the crisis with her 'girlfriend'," she told malaysiakini .

Sexual exploitation

Another allegation in the report, claimed that Azalina had tried to sexually exploit some of the wing's members during a meeting with a senior editor from a local daily.

The member claimed that the Puteri Umno chief had asked the members to dress provocatively in a bid to garner greater coverage in the English daily.

"That was a very sickening order, especially when it came from a female leader who is supposed to protect women's rights as well as be a role model for others," she said.

Furthermore, she added, that the person who heard Azalina's 'confession' was also willing to come forward as a witness, even before the prime minister if necessary.

She also urged the police to question Azalina's maid as she had allegedly told them that the Puteri Umno chief and her 'lover' were behaving like "husband and wife" at home.

The Puteri Umno member said the police report was in response to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's challenge to another Umno member, Ummi Hafilda Ali, to produce evidence against these charges.

On Monday Ummi and another member, Elly Zalilah Yusof said that a police report will be lodged by them or any other member before the wing holds its inaugural election tomorrow.

Probe report

Meanwhile, the Puteri Umno member who lodged the report said she hoped that the police would investigate the case as promised.

On Tuesday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Jamil Johari said the department cannot investigate the alleged sexual misconduct as no police report has been lodged.

Newspaper reports today quoted the police as confirming that the report was lodged.

Last Friday, Mahathir, who is also Umno president, said the party will not tolerate leaders who are guilty of sexual misconduct.

Allegations concerning Azalina's sexuality first surfaced in the Malay tabloid Perdana Sari in April.

The paper also claimed that the Puteri Umno chief had used party funds to purchase a luxury car for her 'lover'.

The two-year-old wing will hold its inaugural election tomorrow where 22 posts will be contested.

However, Azalina will return unopposed since her potential rivals failed to secure any nominations from the wing's 165 branches nationwide.