SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA: Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong will stay on as an elected representative and Selangor state executive council member.

In a statement yesterday, Wong said she accepted the state government's offer to her to remain in office.

"My only wish is to serve my constituents and the state to the best of my abilities and, with the help and cooperation of the people, make this state, this country, a better place for all," said Wong.

"This is the hardest decision I have to make in my life and it is with the greatest humility that I accept the Selangor state's offer."

Wong had tendered her resignation as exco member and assemblyman in February, following the release of revealing pictures of her to the media by unknown persons.

Earlier yesterday, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim told a press conference that the state did not accept Wong's resignation and wanted her to remain in both her positions.

Khalid was accompanied by almost all his exco members, including senior exco member Teresa Kok and state PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, when he made the announcement.

He added that Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had been briefed about the decision to retain Wong.

Khalid thanked the Sultan for his stand in not interfering in political decisions and entrusting the state government to make a fair and just decision.

"The state government believes this is an appropriate and fair decision after taking into consideration views from all quarters, public interest and the fact that police investigations have to date failed to reach a conclusion," he said, adding that Wong had to return to work today as her leave had ended yesterday.

Wong was granted long leave while the police conducted investigations and the exco debated on her status as exco member and assemblyman.

Khalid stressed that morality was of utmost importance to the state's Pakatan Rakyat government.

"This principle is strictly adhered to. Should there be any conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, the state government will not hesitate to initiate the necessary action," he added.

However, said Khalid, the state government was also equally concerned about protecting the right to privacy and would do its utmost to protect that right.

He reiterated that Wong was a victim and that even though it was an issue of morality, everyone was innocent until proven guilty.

In her statement, Wong said the past two months had been traumatic for her.

"I have been stripped bare publicly, both figuratively and literally, by force and against my will.

"My personal life has been violated and assaulted by none other than criminals. Even up to this evening, I continued to receive threats from unknown persons."

Wong said what had transpired was not a scandal but a criminal act which also translated into criminal intimidation and a form of political violence.

"If I chose to retreat into silence, it would in turn indirectly affect women, especially women politicians," she added.

She said she was humbled by the encouragement and support shown by the media, her family and friends, non-governmental organisations, those who signed petitions asking her to remain in office and her constituents who had stood firmly behind her.

Khalid stressed that morality was of utmost importance to the state's Pakatan Rakyat government. "This principle is strictly adhered to. Should there be any conclusive evidence of wrongdoing, the state government will not hesitate to initiate the necessary action."

However, said Khalid, the state government was also equally concerned about protecting the right to privacy and would do its utmost to protect that right.

In her statement, Wong said the past two months had been traumatic for her.

"I have been stripped bare publicly, both figuratively and literally, by force and against my will.

"My personal life has been violated and assaulted by none other than criminals. Even up to this evening, I continued to receive threats from unknown persons."

Wong said what had transpired was not a scandal but a criminal act which also translated into criminal intimidation and a form of political violence.

"If I chose to retreat into silence, it would in turn indirectly affect women, especially women politicians," she added.

She said she was humbled by the encouragement and support shown by the media, her family and friends, non-governmental organisations, those who signed petitions asking her to remain in office and her constituents. --The Star/Asia News Network