Anwar: Azmin needs to resign if conclusively identified as other man in sex video (updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says that Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali should resign if he is conclusively identified as one of the two men in a recent viral sex video.

The PKR president said although his initial views were that Azmin need not resign, recent developments in the investigations had to be taken into consideration.

"If the investigations are conclusive, then he needs to resign, but if we have not ascertained the truth of the two guys in the video then he (Azmin) has the option.

"It is subject to whether the police or the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission ... have ascertained the veracity of the video. And if he is identified conclusively, then he needs to resign," said Anwar during a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday (July 17).

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said that Azmin need not go on leave pending the outcome of the investigations on the video.

On July 16, Primary Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said that those accused in the sex video should go on leave.

The police have arrested and remanded nine people so far, including Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, who is Perak PKR state chief and Anwar's political secretary.

Asked about Farhash's arrest, Anwar said he was surprised and unsure why he was detained.

However, he said that the police had their reasons and that the investigations should "proceed according to its course".

When asked his opinion on insinuations that Farhash was linked to some "higher-up masterminds" within the party, Anwar quipped; "Higher than me is Azizah (his wife and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail)."

Asked if the scandal had caused an split within PKR, Anwar said that almost 80% of party state leaders had contacted him.

"They said that they are behind the party leadership's on this. Let the police investigate," he said.

Anwar added that the PKR leadership would be having a retreat this weekend and had even invited Dr Mahathir to attend.