Ezam: Allegation against minister 'a matter of national security'

Investigating the veracity of the allegation that a senior cabinet minister was involved in a sex video scandal is more important than investigating the conspiracy against him, said former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Noor.

In a statement today, Ezam said the allegation against the minister, whom he did not name, was a matter of national security.

"When there is an allegation that a national leader was involved in aktiviti songsang (deviancy) and adultery, the main focus (of the investigation) should be on whether the individual was involved or not.

"This is paramount because if it is true, the leader can be a national security problem and the interest of the country can be compromised," said Ezam.

He said that although the police were attempting to uncover the "mastermind" behind the conspiracy against the said minister, the "mastermind" was unlikely to have an impact on national security matters compared to a national leader.

Ezam was referring to the statement by Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador who said that the video was likely authentic, but the individuals depicted could not be positively identified.

Hamid also alleged that a "pakatan jahat" (evil group) headed by the leader of a political party was trying to slander and cause the downfall of the said cabinet minister. Hamid also claimed that hundreds of thousands of ringgit was spent to hatch this conspiracy.

Ezam said that he was dissatisfied with Hamid's statement because it was unconvincing.

"I urge the IGP and the police to review that statement and double their efforts... in coming to a conclusion that is strong and without doubt.

"This is not just about the future of a minister. It is about national security," he said.

Should the police investigation not answer the right questions, said Ezam, the police would be seen as a tool of those with political interest.

"Surely we do not want the police's image to be tainted by an IGP who came in with an impressive record," he said.

Earlier today, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim, in expressing similar sentiments, said the IGP should not “make judgments and talk of political conspiracies”.

Nine people have been remanded in connection with the case, including a political aide of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and former Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz.

Haziq had confessed to being the person in the video showing two men engaging in sexual acts. He claimed that the other person was Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali.

Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, has maintained that the video is a nefarious attempt to ruin his political career. He is also convinced that it was an inside job.