Amidst the avalanche of support cascading for embattled Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong, PAS Selangor has underscored the importance of moral integrity in a politician.

The Islamic party stressed that a politician must possess an impeccable character in order to be a role model for the people.

elizabeth wong press conference on her offer of resignation from selangor exco post 170209 "If investigations reveal any moral transgression on the part of Wong, we feel that appropriate action must be taken against her to safeguard the integrity and good name of Pakatan Rakyat and the Selangor government," it said in a statement today.

This is an indication that the Islamic party, especially Selangor PAS, may not accept Wong should PKR decide not to accept her resignation.

This morning, Wong had offered to resign as state exco and Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson but maintained that she was an innocent victim.

"I have done no wrong and I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person. I have broken no law and everyone has a right to privacy," she told a news conference.

However PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim, did not immediately accept her resignation and said the matter would be considered after the politician returns from an indefinite break.

PAS Selangor also called on all state assemblypersons and parliamentarians, especially those from Pakatan Rakyat, to be careful of their actions in order to steer clear of such moral issues which can threaten the stability of Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor.

On the same note, PAS Selangor also condemned the circulation of Wong's nude photographs as a crime which deserved to be punished.

"We welcome the police's action to carry out a comprehensive investigation. Whoever is found to be in the wrong must be brought to justice."

In addition, PAS Selangor also warned that Umno and Barisan Nasional are constantly engaged in efforts to reclaim the states lost in the last general election through whatever means possible.

"All of Pakatan Rakyat's state reps and parliamentarians are being watched. A small mistake will be used by our rivals to engineer their downfall," it warned.

Highly principled person

Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Husam Musa described Wong's offer to resign as an act of a "highly principled person".

husam musa bangsar 080408 left He also said it was a honourable act by Wong after her integrity was tainted by the posting of the photographs.

"Pakatan Rakyat has its own moral standard which must be adhered to and I consider the move by the Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson as a principled and moral act," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Husam said PAS sympathised with Wong and described those individuals who had posted her photographs on the Internet as unscrupulous.

Husam denied that the issue would affect PAS and its ties with Pakatan Rakyat.

He said the efforts by certain elements to discredit the coalition was also something positive as it enabled Pakatan to correct whatever weaknesses they had.