Elizabeth Wong: A victim of malicious political attack on her privacy
Press Release: February 16, 2009
I was informed on Friday February 13, 2009 by journalists from the Malay Mail that they have in their possession intimate photos of myself and that the newspaper will be publishing a story about these photographs.
I was told that some people are trying to distribute photos/videos showing me asleep in partial nudity and also in intimate positions.
The distribution and publication of these photos/video is a malicious attack on my personality. This constitutes a gross outrage on my modesty, a gross invasion of my privacy, and in particular the sanctity of my personal life. It is being done by unscrupuluous persons to embarrass and discredit me。
I am a victim in this incident.I have yesterday lodged a police report in relation to this matter and I will fully cooperate with the police in their investigation. I will therefore not speculate publicly about those responsible for this gross invasion of my privacy.
I have received a lot of support from my supporters, friends, colleagues and members of my constituency. I wish to thank them for their concern, support and encouragement.
My family members are standing behind me. I would like to appeal to the media to give me and my family members some breathing space in this trying time so that I can weather this huge challenge. I will in the meantime continue to carry out my task of serving the people of Selangor faithfully.
新闻文告
我在上周五（2月13日）被《马来邮报》记者告知我，他们拥有我睡觉时半裸，以及发生亲密关系的照片，并将会刊登这些照片。
他们也告诉我，有人尝试流传我睡觉时半裸，以及发生亲密关系的照片或短片。
刊登及流传这些照片或短片，是一项对我的恶意攻击。这已经严重侵犯我的私人隐私权，特别是侵犯了我的私人生活。我相信这些举动是一些无耻的人为了羞辱及破坏我。
在这起事件里，我是一名受害者。
我已经在昨天针对此事向警方报警，并将会全力配合警方的调查。在目前的阶段，我不想猜测究竟是谁拍摄或流传这些照片及短片。
我已经接获许多基层，选民，朋友及同事的支持。我谨此感谢大家的关心、支持和鼓励。
我的家人也给予我全力的支持，我同时要求各媒体给予我和我家人一个喘息的空间，让我可以面对这项艰巨的挑战。
我将会继续执行我的职责，为雪州人民忠诚地服务。
I think we can all empathise with Elizabeth and before some people rub their hands with glee at the political capital they think they will get out of this sorry episode, I would suggest they bear in mind that with the technology now freely available this can happen to almost anybody these days. Women are obviouisly more vulnerable and I am sure there are many who have been sent Emails with videos of unsuspecting women filmed in toilets, lifts etc. It seems nobody is safe these days.
I doubt if much can be done about eradicating this method of invading someone’s privacy except by a collective decision to simply ignore such
“exposures”.
Isa Manteqi - February 16, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Malaysian women must feel a sense of outrage when one of their kind is a victim of political intrigue. Invasion of privacy cannot be tolerated and we must have laws in place to protect all citizens from unscrupulous boyfriends, hotel staff and all those sick people who use hidden gadgets to record unauthorised private moments behind close doors.
If it is for public viewing in PlayBoy or Penthouse, then it must be done with the full consent of the individual. Imagine, what the effects of such disclosures made of one’s wife, sister, daughter or grandmother!! Khir Toyo would suffer a nervous breakdown if members of the female side of his family were victims.
Shame on Malaysians who lack any sense of common decency and have double moral standards. We should focus on our common agenda to make Malaysian more educated to respect others regardless of their race, religion or colour.
eiz235 - February 16, 2009 at 8:03 pm
“We should focus on our common agenda to make Malaysian more educated to respect others regardless of their race, religion or colour.”
Respect cannot be taught.
“Invasion of privacy cannot be tolerated and we must have laws in place to protect all citizens from unscrupulous boyfriends …”
Rigth! Unscrupulous boyfriends – who has property in those photographs. Didn’t she give consent for those photos to be taken? If boyfriends sold those photographs because of their commercial value they cannot be held criminally liable for their use by a third party. It is the third party who must be held accountable for any laws broken.
Mr Bean - February 16, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Are there privacy laws in place in Malaysia today??
Mr Bean - February 16, 2009 at 8:35 pm
We support you all the way, YB Wong. What we now need is for the big guns of PKR, DAP, and PAS to strongly support you in your hour of need. Where are their voices? Anwar? Lim Kit Siang? Nik Aziz? Let not BN bigwigs capitalised on her expense.
justme - February 16, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Khir Toyo has shown himself to be the Most Despicable Name in Politics… after Najib Razak. May those who desire to be governed by such despicable men continue to show their contaminated hands so the rakyat can see whose authority is true and whose is false.
YB Elizabeth Wong deserves a pay rise for setting a good example for all Malaysians who genuinely wish to conserve energy at home by turning off their aircon and doing away with unnecessary garments when they sleep. Considering Eli Wong’s immense popularity and the fabulous work she has been doing since 8 March 2008, it’s no wonder that the former MB of Selangor is now after her blood. I wish Khir Toyo and Umno a swift and irreversible extinction.
Antares - February 16, 2009 at 10:09 pm
“YB Elizabeth Wong deserves a pay rise for setting a good example for all Malaysians who genuinely wish to conserve energy at home by turning off their aircon and doing away with unnecessary garments when they sleep.”
Are you also suggesting she should be given a datukship for contributing to the decline of the garments industry?? During a time of global recession, we need people to go out and spend their money and not hoard them.
Stimulus is all about spending.
Mr Bean - February 16, 2009 at 11:17 pm