A Malaysian state minister has resigned after naked photographs of her, allegedly taken by a former boyfriend, were anonymously sent to newspapers.
Elizabeth Wong, 37, a leading member of the Keadilan Party of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, resigned saying she was a 'victim of political blackmail'.
The pictures were e-mailed to at least three newspapers, while a courier also delivered printed copies of the photographs and discs containing the images to the media outlets. Ms Wong was captured in the photographs apparently sleeping, and either partially or fully naked.
The newspapers confronted Ms Wong, a Selangor state minister for environment and tourism, on Saturday but did not publish the images.
Instead they carried stories on Monday naming her as the person in images that were circulating via e-mails and mobile phones. The images have sparked public sympathy for Ms Wong, but also demands from political rivals for her to resign.
'I was asleep when the photos were taken. I am a victim of political blackmail,' Ms Wong, 37, told a press conference yesterday before breaking down in tears.