Exco Elizabeth Wong's fate to be decided next Wed? - Malaysiakini

Feb 18, 09 6:34pm

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim will meet the state ruler next Wednesday to brief him on the controversy surrounding executive councillor Elizabeth Wong. - Malaysiakini .

Khalid said he will seek the views of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on how to handle the matter.

"Special secretary to the sultan, Mohamad Munir Bani, informed that the sultan is currently abroad and has informed that he will be ready to meet the menteri besar next week during their weekly meeting," he said in a statement.

Wong, 37, was thrust into the spotlight following the circulation of her nude photographs, which is now being investigated by the police.

The PKR politician, who has repeatedly maintained that she is a victim, has since offered to resign from her exco post as well as the state assemblyperson for Bukit Lanjan.

"The state government hopes that the audience will result in the best solution for the state. Pending the decision, Wong will be on leave and her duties will be carried out collectively by the state exco members," added Khalid.

The mentri besar urged all parties to stop circulating the contentious photos out of respect to Wong’s privacy and called on the police to take stern action against those doing so.

Decision on Wong ‘within a month’

Elaborating on his intention to “seek guidance” from the sultan, Khalid said that it was necessary because he had previously sought royal advice when setting up his exco lineup.

“He has accepted the names, and the least we can do (now) is to get back to him to say one of my excos has decided to tender her resignation and I want to discuss the matter,” he said.

“Most likely, Tuanku would leave it to the exco to decide (on whether to accept the resignation),” he added during a press conference at the Selangor state secretariat building after chairing his weekly exco meeting.

However, he refused to divulge the details of what he intends to discuss with the sultan.

As a matter of courtesy, Khalid said Wong may also need to personally write to the sultan in order to express her intention to quit.

To a question, Khalid said he has personally instructed Wong to go on leave and a decision on her offer to resign would be decided “within a month”.

PAS ‘sympathises with Wong’s predicament’

Khalid also brushed off a Sin Chew Daily report which claimed that PKR was “warned” about the existence of Wong’s intimate pictures several months ago.

Asked on the possibility that more pictures would surface, Khalid said: “That is another speculation.”

Selangor PAS chief Dr Hassan Ali, who was also at the press conference, said that his party symphatises with Wong’s predicament and stressed that all state reps need to be of high moral fibre to safeguard the integrity of the government.

“We will take steps, along with our Pakatan friends, to help clear her name,” said Hassan, who is also a state exco member.

When Malaysiakini visited Wong’s office this afternoon, her staff were working as usual and there were several bouquets outside her office from well wishers and supporters.