YES TAKEN PICTURES TOGETHER, NOT IN HOTEL ROOMS

Yes taken pictures together, not in hotel rooms
01-12-2006 08:07:42 AM
www.thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Gombak MP Datuk Dr Rahman Ismail and Senator Datin Paduka Norhayati Onn said they had taken pictures together – but always in the presence of a third party and never in inappropriate situations or in hotel rooms.

In a joint statement issued through law firm Shafee & Co, both denied having taken any inappropriate photograph together in close proximity, with Dr Rahman wearing a bathrobe.

Regarding the photo posted on Sungai Pinang DAP assemblyman Teng Chang Khim’s blog entitled Bicameral Proximity: MP and Senator, Dr Rahman said the photo had probably been tampered with and that he had an untouched version.

“The question of khalwat or any other inappropriate conduct on their part does not rise. They strongly deny this imputation. Dr Rahman has never been with the Senator alone in any hotel room or any other room,” the statement said.

The statement added that Dr Rahman and Norhayati have known each other since they campaigned together in the last Kota Baru by-election.

“They have remained as friends and nothing more,” said the statement that was signed by lawyer Datuk Muhamad Shafee Abdullah.

Dr Rahman and Norhayati acknowledged they had taken photos together but said they were taken with third parties present.

“Some of the third parties are identifiable and can verify the truth of this statement. One of them has sworn a statutory declaration confirming the same,” said the statement.

On Nov 27, The Star published a story stating that Selangor Opposition leader Teng had alleged there was “bicameral proximity” between an MP and a Senator.

The article on Teng’s website had a photo of a couple which had been converted into a negative, allegedly showing a man wearing a bathrobe.

The photo appeared to have been taken in a hotel room.

“Clearly, the insinuation was that the MP and the Senator were in inappropriate close proximity or more,” said the statement.

It added that when The Star reporter spoke to Dr Rahman about the photograph, he had not seen the original version.

However, even then, he denied ever having taken a photograph with Norhayati.

The statement said Dr Rahman eventually viewed the photograph in its original form and said the photo on Teng’s website “had probably been tampered with.”

Similarly, when The Star made a phone call to Norhayati on Nov 27, she expressed shock over the photo. Norhayati was then in Argentina, and not China as reported.

The statement also warned all parties from spreading any false allegations against Norhayati because an ex-parte order had been issued by the Shah Alam Syariah High Court on Nov 16 involving Norhayati and her husband Mohd Suffian Abdul Aziz.

Dr Rahman and Norhayati said they have asked their solicitor to study Teng’s allegations and would take legal action against him.