Ex-Gerakan leader behind nude event

ALOR SETAR: The female organiser of the nude games in Teluk Kampi, Penang National Park, is believed to be a former Gerakan Wanita leader during the 1980s.

Party deputy president Datuk Dr Cheah Soon Hai said the woman had served one two-year term and also served as a councillor.

“She did not pay her membership fee for over 20 years. Automatically, after 10 years of not doing so, she is no longer our party member.

“We don’t know her whereabouts or which party she’s in now. We don’t have her records in our office any more,” said Dr Cheah at the state Gerakan headquarters here yesterday.

The video clip, titled “Penang Nude Sports Games 2014”, was uploaded to video-sharing website Vimeo about two months ago and showed participants, including someone resembling the woman, strolling about and dancing with each other in the nude.

They also sat around a fire and camped for the night, taking pictures of one another.

The clip, which was uploaded by one Albert Yam, was removed before 2pm on Tuesday.

Dr Cheah said the party condemned such an act as it was against the cultural norms of Malaysians.

“It does not reflect our lifestyle and it has nothing to do with the party as she is no longer with us. Her action is definitely personal,” he added, describing the woman as “shy” and a “nature lover”.

It is learnt that the woman was also a teacher and had tendered her resignation a month ago. Her last day at the school was believed to have been on Tuesday.

The school principal said the woman had resigned before the video went viral.

“She called me on Tuesday night and informed me of her decision. I wished her all the best,” he said when contacted.

Describing her as fair, impartial and a follower of rules, he said he was quite surprised to learn that she was the organiser.

“She is reticent, not outspoken and a woman of few words. How could she be the organiser?” he said, adding that he still respected the woman’s beliefs and self-expression.

“It is just like somebody choosing to become monks or nuns. We can’t blame them. But as the head of the school, I cannot accept a teacher with such a background,” he said.

Efforts to contact her were unsuccessful.

Police are expected to release photographs of the “naturists” after they failed to turn themselves in.