KUALA LUMPUR: The sex video implicating Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali is a political scheme that was definitely intended to prevent somebody from succeeding in politics, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He was asked to comment on the arrest of nine people by the police in the past few days over the distribution of the viral sex video.
“I think you know the whole thing is about politics.
“It is not about exposing somebody's wrongdoings. It is about politics, in order to prevent somebody from being able to succeed in politics.
“It is a political scheme that definitely intended to prevent somebody from succeeding,” he said.
Dr Mahathir also said that Azmin need not go on leave pending the outcome of the investigations on the video.
“He can carry on – you are not guilty until proven (otherwise),” he said after launching the Beyond Paradigm Shift Summit organised by Serba Dinamik Holdings Sdn Bhd at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday (July 17).
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 so far remanded nine people, including Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, who is the Perak PKR state chief and political secretary of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir also said one could only rule a country if one had enough grit to withstand the nasty things said about one.
He said knowledge and wisdom alone were not enough to rule a country.
“Grit. You have to be able to withstand all the nasty things said about you, especially through the press,” he said.
