Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin
PETALING JAYA: Political leaders implicated in any wrongdoing should go on leave, says Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin.
Referring to the sex video scandal implicating a minister, the Deputy Primary Industries Minister said politicians who are facing an investigation should take a leave of absence from their official duties.
The PKR information chief said such a move is to restore public confidence in the country's enforcement agencies.
“This step is important as it gives space to the authorities to carry out their duties freely and fairly," said Shamsul in a statement on Tuesday (July 16).
Shamsul also said that it would show the public that the political leader is not trying to hide behind powerful positions, party posts and behind the Prime Minister as a shield.
He added that such a move will protect the integrity of institutions such as the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Attorney General’s Chambers.
“The concerns of many regarding the police investigation process have now shifted towards the spread of a viral sex video and not the authenticity of the video involving a minister," said Shamsul.
He said that this is a reminder that the rakyat still doubts the transparency of the country’s enforcement agencies.
“The doubts in the mind of the public will become more damaging if the authorities are seen as or perceived to be conducting the investigations with the purpose of protecting powerful individuals,” he said.
Shamsul added that a government official under investigation will be told not to continue with his duties and will be suspended immediately if charged in court.
“As such, under the principle that all are equal under the law, all members of the administration must be given the same or even stricter treatment, including ministers and state executive councillors,” he said.
He also urged authorities to ensure that the case is not seen as a political move.
“The authorities must not look at the case with the view that it is a political allegation or plot to bring down certain individuals. It could be that this case is personal and has nothing to do with politics,” he said.
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was implicated in a sex video scandal, along with Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz.
Haziq was previously the senior private secretary to Shamsul before he was sacked on June 20.
He was arrested on Monday (July 15) along with five others.
