Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad today told Puteri Umno that those who do not command the majority support should "stop their fight", prompting speculation that he was alluding to a splinter group which had accused the wing's new chief of sexual misconduct and corruption.

The 77-year-old party president and prime minister was speaking at Puteri Umno's inaugural annual general assembly at the Umno headquarters in Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

He appeared to be referring to the actions of Ummi Hafilda Ali and Elly Zalilah Yusof in lodging police reports and using the media against Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said.

However, Mahathir was quick to add that the party will not let any "criminals" escape punishment even if their accusers have their own political agenda.

Politically motivated smear

"But a person is innocent until proven guilty," he said while addressing the 600-odd delegates.

Accusations have been made against Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said on sexual and other misconducts while leading the wing during its two-year pro tem stage which ends today.

Ummi who convinced Mahathir in 1998 that his deputy Anwar Ibrahim was a homosexual has recently hurled similar accusations at Azalina.

In addition, other misconducts involving abuse of power were raised by her former close aide Elly Zalilah Yusof who also lodged police reports on the matter.

Mahathir said the allegations (against Azalina) were raised at a time when the wing's inaugural election was just around the corner, which implied that the smear was politically motivated.

He also expressed disappointment with the young ladies in the wing who are fast to pick the bad culture long practised by senior members in the party that is, smearing political opponents prior to elections.

Meanwhile, when met outside the auditorium, Azalina said she did not feel that the prime minister was defending her in his opening speech.

Free country

"I think he was just saying what everyone would say that one is innocent until proven guilty," said the 38-year-old syariah lawyer.

Asked if Ummi's allegations were tantamount to slander, she said "this is a free country, it will be difficult to stop people from making allegations. But in politics there are many thing to consider, which is why we have a disciplinary committee in the party".

She said she will let the police investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power levelled against her, adding that "one must not drag the police in for political agenda because they have a lot of rape and murder cases to solve in the country".

Azalina, who was handpicked by Mahathir to lead the wing, said she was not affected by the allegations.

The former host of a television talk show also said she has not ruled out the possibility of seeking a court injunction to stop Ummi and the others from making damaging statements about her.

So far, two police reports have been lodged against Azalina for alleged sexual misconduct and abuse of power.