EVEN if the former boyfriend of Miss Elizabeth Wong - the Selangor state minister embroiled in a nude-photo scandal - had nothing to do with the photos, he may still be hauled to court.

As a Muslim, Mr Hilmi Hazimin Abdul Malek could be charged in the Syariah Court with zina (unlawful intercourse)
or khalwat (close proximity) if Miss Wong confirms the relationship, said the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Mr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Mr Hilmi, who is in his 30s, is said to have gone to Indonesia earlier this week and Malaysian police are waiting for him to return so they can take his  statement.

Friends who spoke to news-website Malaysian Insider described him as well-read and knowledgeable about politics.

He worked for nine months, till last month, as an aide to an MP from Miss Wong's Parti Keadilan Rakyat party.

roken up only recently.

Referring to a report in the Malaysian media that accused him of having been abusive, one friend told Malaysian Insider that the report was "one-sided" and that "he has often confided to us about his personal problems".

Another friend was quoted as saying: "We don't think he would circulate (such) photos."

The photos are believed to have been taken last year in Miss Wong's home.

According to The New Straits Times, one photo showed the 37-year-old asleep with her glasses on and another
showed her in bed with her eyes closed. She was partly covered with a sarong.

The police said they have identified the device used to take the photos, said to be a mobile phone.

Meanwhile, Miss Wong - who has offered to resign from all her posts - said in an e-mail yesterday that she had been informed that "there will be a fresh assault with more photographs and videos released and circulated in order to completely degrade and bury me".

The Star has even referred to a 30-minute video.

Describing the furore over the photos as the "darkest episode" in her life, Miss Wong has gone abroad in search of peace of mind.

Her party has said it will decide on her resignation offer after she returns from extended leave.

One compromise mooted is that she resigns from her executive role while remaining a state assemblyman.

For more my paper stories click here.