Police confirm ‘PKR man’ is Hilmi Malek

By Yow Hong Chieh

February 09, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — Police have identified the Malaysian man detained in Indonesia last week as Hilmi Malek, who is wanted for questioning in connection with a nude photo scandal.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah said police have received confirmation of the man’s identity from Indonesian authorities, Utusan Malaysia reported today.

Wong was at the centre of the nude photo scandal. — File pic

He added, however, that the man was still being investigated by Indonesian police for alleged offences committed there.

“Indonesian authorities have asked for some more time to complete their investigation into claims brought against the man.

“We will work with Indonesian authorities to assist in any further investigation,” he told the Malay-language daily.

Efforts by The Malaysian Insider to contact Ku were unsuccesful.

Hilmi is wanted by police for questioning in connection with semi-nude pictures of Selangor state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, which surfaced on the Internet in 2009.

Indonesian media reported on Saturday that a “PKR man” had been arrested in Batam for possessing fake Indonesian identification documents.

Online news portal Detik said Indonesian immigration officers in Batam had picked up the man, identified as “Azmin Helmi”, the day before when he tried to renew his fake passport.

The 36-year-old is said to have entered Indonesia on his Malaysian passport via the Tanjung Balai international port in Karimun on February 15, 2009 before travelling around the archipelago and eventually settling in Jakarta.

He reportedly told Indonesian authorities his stay had been funded by his family as well as PKR as it was not safe for him to remain in Malaysia.

“I chose to stay in Indonesia even though my visa had ended because my family in Malaysia and the PKR leadership urged me to change in Indonesia,” he told immigration officers, according to Detik.

“My safety is not ensured in Malaysia as a result of threats made against me by Malaysian leaders who may use me as a pawn or political tool for the authorities.”

Pro-Umno blogs were quick to identify Azmin as Hilmi Malek, who was believed to have left the country soon after semi-nude pictures of Wong were leaked in February 2009.

Hilmi, who is rumoured to have dated the Selangor executive councillor for a year, was then wanted for questioning by police in connection with the images, the publication of which embarrassed the new PKR-led Selangor government.

The ensuing scandal prompted Wong to offer to quit from all state posts but her resignation was rejected by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

The Bukit Lanjan assemblyman, who holds the tourism, consumer affairs and environment portfolio, later returned to the state government after a long leave.