Search for hidden hand in UMNO smear attack

Joceline Tan, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

The last few weeks have been a hell of sorts for Puteri United Malays National Organization (UMNO) head Azalina Othman Said. As news that Malay weekly Perdana Sari had "exposed" her as a lesbian trickled out, the normally active lawyer-politician began to cut back on her public activities.

She ignored the reports, hoping they would go away, but the paper, which saw its first printing on March 31, grew bolder and, by the third week, had named and published a color picture of her alleged lover. It also accused her of fiddling with political funds to buy a RM300,000 (S$142,900) Mercedes-Benz for her alleged lover, all of which she has denied.

Its publisher, Khalid Jafri, hinted he had "evidence" and even challenged her to sue him.

She has had to deal with questions about her sexuality, her political style and ambitions from Day One of her venture into UMNO politics. And she has handled those situations with remarkable poise.

She has deflected, time and again, insinuations that she was gay by asking: "Are you saying I am a lesbian because I am unmarried and don't have a husband or children? Is it because I wear trouser suits and don't cover my head? Is it because I talk and laugh loudly? Is it because I don't look feminine or giggle?"

She has always been comfortable with the way she looks -- stocky and tomboyish.

She did not feel she had to conform, although she had joined a political party that is conservative at heart and enforces strict party discipline.

So why does she appear to be crumbling this time? This may have to do with the vicious and unbridled nature of the accusations and the fact that the person behind it, Khalid, played a role in the downfall of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Another reason is the deafening silence within UMNO. She has told those she is close to that "nobody is defending me". Her family has also been deeply affected. Her father was so upset, he told her: "Resign! You don't have to take all this."

The Star understands that she has met the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. They have heard her out, advised her to ignore the allegations and keep a low profile for now. Basically, people are waiting for the facts to unfold before taking a stand.

Yet, just weeks ago, she and her Puteri wing were seen as having helped UMNO forge new ground during one of the lowest points in the party's history. At the party general assembly next month, Puteri UMNO will be formalized as a constitutional wing of the party.

"Whatever people say, she is one of the best things to have happened in UMNO. She brought back idealism to the political struggle," said Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

He has had a soft spot for the spunky lawyer-politician since the day he moved her call to the Bar and also made her sign up as a member of UMNO. But he has also despaired occasionally at her impetuous style.

The novelty over the salacious allegations has graduated into curiosity over who might be behind the smear attack. As Datuk Seri Syed Hamid implied, she has made enemies in her swift rise to the top.

A little-known fact: Her BMW had all its windows smashed last year. Fingers have been pointed at several former Puteri leaders whom she had sacked.

Others point out that Khalid is known to be a "writer-for- hire" and his weekly is simply out to make as much money and impact as it can while it lasts.

Yet others see the current episode as an attempt to derail the formalizing of Puteri UMNO as a party wing or, at least, to embarrass her and curb her ascent.

But the question remains: Who is the dalang, or puppet-master? The enemy, many in UMNO seem to think, is within. UMNO politics is riddled with rivalry, grudges and petty jealousy, and she has apparently stepped on more than a few toes, some of which belong to very important people.

Meanwhile, her side is not taking all this lying down. Her accusers have apparently skeletons in their own cupboards and her supporters in women's groups are doing some serious digging.

Will she survive this ordeal? Said Datuk Seri Syed Hamid: "I hope she survives, although she ought to understand by now that the world of politics can be very, very cruel."