PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has expressed shock over the unauthorised circulation of semi-nude pictures of Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong.

Maria Chin Abdullah said yesterday that Wong was being victimised as a single woman, in a tactic meant to deliberately cast moral aspersions and indirectly question her ability to carry out her duties as a politician.

"These photos are being released at a time when the tussle for power between the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat is increasingly intense. Under no circumstance should anyone sink to this level of politicking," said Maria.

Politics, she added, was being practised in an increasingly violent, sensationalised and sexualised manner.

Maria said the group - comprising Awam, Empower, WAO and WCC - hoped to hear strong statements from both Barisan and Pakatan condemning the circulation of sexually intimate photos and videos as a means of practising politics.