The Malaysian Insight

THE distribution of a video involving Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz and another man said to be Mohamed Azmin Ali is a political conspiracy to topple the economic affairs minister, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I see this as political maneuvering. If there is a crime here, it is the move to topple Azmin,” he told reporters in Parliament today.

He said if anyone had committed a crime, they will usually hide – but this is not the case with Haziq who has gone public with it.

“This is surprising. Normally, people in this situation will want to hide; they should be ashamed. But he is not ashamed,” he said, referring to Haziq and his claim that he was the person in the video.

This morning, Dr Mahahtir said it was up to Azmin if he wanted to take a leave of absence pending police investigations into the sex video, in which the minister is implicated.

According to the prime minister, the distribution of the video was politically motivated to end someone’s political career, referring to the PKR deputy president.

“(He) can go on leave or continue working. You cannot be deemed guilty before it is proven in court,” he told reporters today.

Police have so far arrested nine people, including Perak PKR leader Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, political secretary to party president Anwar Ibrahim, over the distribution of the video.

Earlier today, Anwar said Azmin should resign from his cabinet post immediately if he is indeed found to be the other man in the viral sex video.

The Port Dickson MP said he did not think it necessary for Azmin to take leave from work or quit yet, pending the completion of police investigations into the sex scandal.

“My initial view was for him not to resign, but it would depend on the investigation.

“If the investigation is already conclusive in terms of the participants of the so-called act, then I think he needs to resign,” he told reporters in the Parliament lobby.

Replying to this later, Azmin said Anwar should reflect on his suggestion.

“Look at the man in the mirror.

“Read my lips, tell him to look in the mirror.

“Ask Anwar to ‘muhasabah diri’ (carry out self-introspection) and reflect on himself,” Azmin told reporters in the lobby this evening. – July 17, 2019.