Cabinet sex scandal: Zahida switches off phone, pledges to "do a lot of charity"

It looks like Zahida Rafik, the actress at the center of a raging sex scandal allegedly involving a member of the Malaysian Cabinet, has catapulted to the top rungs of the popularity ladder as far as 'showbiz' is concerned.

The glamor queen known for her curvaceous figure is probably the most demanded property in town with all the media especially the tabloids and industry papers working overtime to contact her.

But they won't succeed. It looks like she has switched off her phone permanently ever since the scandal broke on April 19.

'I pity them all'

According to online portals, the Daily Chilli, mStar and murai.com, efforts to reach her have been futile.

However, on her Twitter account which is updated daily, Zahida has denied the allegations that she was 'involved' with the minister, who allegedly lavished RM1.5millon on her over a 4-month period.

She tweeted: "tu lah,suddenly!hehehe..yes agree wit u,tq so much! I am having fun wit all tis bz body people,kesian tengok dia orng semua! (I'm suddenly linked to the minister. But I'm having fun with all these nosy people. I pity them all)

She added: "its up 2 me nak ada hubungan dng sesiapa pun!! Apa kau peduli?? (It's up to me to have a relationship with anyone that I like. What has it got to do with you?)

Is Shafie saying he doesn't know Zahida?

Zahida was accused of having an affair with Rural and Regional Development minister Shafie Apdal by her driver. Both she and Shafie have denied the accusations made by the driver in a police report to rebut Zahida's own allegation that he (the driver) had absconded with RM200,000 of her money.

"I have been following closely various reports in the media and blogs that have linked my name to a police report dated March 13, 2012, by a person named Noor Azman Azemi, who claims to be under my employ as a driver, linking me with the payment of a large amount of money to an artiste by the name of Zahida Mohamed Rafik," said Shafie in a statement issued a day ago.

"I wish to state that everything that has been mentioned in the police report is completely untrue and that the subsequent comments by individuals who have distributed copies of the police report is with bad intent and politically motivated.  I am prepared to take legal action against anyone who continues to defame me and link me with this issue."

Of charity, khalwat and corruption

But it is not the sex angle, although extramarital sex is illegal in the eyes of Islam as it would constitute khalwat if true, Opposition leaders are more concerned about how Shafie managed to afford such a lifestyle on his salary.

Unless, he clarifies, they have said they plan to take the matter further, which might include lodging a report with the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission.

As for Zahida, she claims she has handed the matter over to her lawyer.

And despite her life being turned into a whirlwind circus over the past week, she doesn't seem to have lost her witty tongue.

Most Sabahans send regards to u. ;-) Remember, there r many poor ppl in Sabah. Don Swallow too much, tweeted one sympathizer.

Yes i know! Kesian kan!! Dun worry i do a lot of charity,will donate some in future! May god bless u n them!, was Zahida's reply.

Malaysia Chronicle