Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said today said she sympathised with PKR lawmaker Nurul Izzah Anwar who landed in hot water for photographs she took with so-called Sulu princess Jacel Kiram.

"I do understand when she explained to the Dewan Rakyat that her intention was totally noble [...] she really wanted the House to sympathise with her.

"I agree (with her). I understand. I sympathise with her," said Azalina when met at Parliament's lobby.

Minutes earlier, the Dewan Rakyat had passed a motion to cite Nurul Izzah ( photo ) to Parliament's Rights and Privileges Committee for the controversial meeting between her and Jacel.

"However, 107 police reports have been made (against her); the Sabah state legislative assembly already issued a motion (to bar her). The people in Sabah are extremely upset (with her)," added Azalina.

She pointed to the facts that Nurul had met Jacel and also the ongoing Sulu claim of Sabah, and the 32 individuals charged for Sabah incursion.

"Our objective was for her to better explain herself at the committee," Azalina said, adding that such due process will be important to Nurul Izzah.

She can present her evidence to the committee that she was invited by the host in the Philippines, added the Umno minister.

Azalina suggested that Nurul Izzah ask both Jacel and Manila mayor Joseph Estrada who were present to attend the Rights and Privileges Committee meeting to clear herself.

"Maybe she is capable of bringing in Estrada and the princess as witnesses, if the princess dares to come to Malaysia. This is her duty in the process of clearing her name," she said.

Azalina also cautioned MPs who travel abroad to declare with Wisma Putra and that the Malaysian embassy abroad would understand the sensitivity of the situation better.

In the US, representatives would not be able to travel abroad without declaring who they will meet, she said.