Eli to lose exco post, keep seat?

By Neville Spykerman | malaysianinsider

SHAH ALAM, April 14 – The Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government is likely to allow Elizabeth Wong to resign from her state executive councillor post but will ask her to stay on as Bukit Lanjan representative to solve the imbroglio over circulation of her private pictures.

The decision to be made tomorrow at the weekly Selangor executive council meeting may pacify moral hardliners within the coalition while satisfying her supporters who are adamant she’s a victim who should not be penalised.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s administration had sought the Selangor ruler’s opinion when the issue broke out in February but Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wisely said it was a political decision.

“His Royal Highness believes that whatever decision that is going to be made by the Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Menteri Besar of Selangor will be made with accuracy, fairness and wisdom by taking into consideration the interest of the rakyat in particular and the state of Selangor in general,” the sultan’s office said in a statement issued on Feb 25.

But Pakatan insiders believe any decision to get her to continue as the Bukit Lanjan assemblyman will expose her to more public scrutiny and this may be what Wong wants to avoid.

Her supporters want Wong to reconsider resigning from her seat while Pakatan Rakyat want to avoid a by-election at a time when their full attention must be on the deteriorating economy.

While Wong’s colleagues decide on her offer to resign from all posts, those close to her say it will depend on how she sees her future as she has been silent to appeals to reconsider her decision.

There are concerns other private pictures or video clips could be exposed. This is an aspect in the equation which has not been considered by Wong’s supporters who are calling on the Selangor government not to accept her resignation.

During the Bukit Gantang by-election a booklet featuring her nude scandal was circulated and this may be foretaste of what’s to come should more pictures or worse videos, emerge.

In offering to resign Wong may have been selflessly putting party first, shielding Pakatan from more fallout and herself from further embarrassment.