KAJANG: Claiming there is a conspiracy to sabotage his career and reputation, former Community Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff says a viral video which appears to feature him is doctored.
The video shows a man supposed to be Mohammad Agus having an indecent conversation with another man named "Wahab".
"I deny (the veracity of) the video. The video has been doctored to frame me," he said in a press conference on Friday (Nov 17) night.
Also present at the press conference was the "Wahab" in the video, an assistant officer with J-Kom whose real name is Abdul Wahab Abdul Kadir Jilani.
He claimed that the video was the work of a certain "Mr H", who wanted to sabotage Mohammad Agus.
Abdul Wahab claimed that Mr H, who is a senior department official, had lured him into making the video with Mohammad Agus.
Abdul Wahab admitted that he had previously called Mohammad Agus on several occasions for casual chats.
He also said he decided to come clean to right a wrong.
"The video has been doctored and edited to degrade him.
"The conspiracy was hatched by several high-ranking officials in the J-Kom led by one 'Mr H' to defame Mohammad Agus," he said.
Abdul Wahab, who joined J-Kom earlier this month, said Mr H approached him and introduced him to several other officials in several hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
He said Mr H claimed to have information that Mohammad Agus was involved in immoral activities and he had been tasked to "cleanse" the department.
Abdul Wahab said as he was still newly employed, he was eager to do what was asked.
However, after the video went viral, Abdul Wahab said he was shocked when he realised the audio had been added in to make it seem like he and Mohammad Agus were engaged in indecent activities.
"I wish to stress that the audio in the video is doctored and completely fake," he said.
He said this had affected his and Mohammad Agus' dignity and reputation.
"I now realise I was used and made a scapegoat by some.
"I apologise to Mohammad Agus for my mistake. I also asked PMX to make things right in J-Kom and weed out the enemy within," he said, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Mohammad Agus, who said that treats Abdul Wahab "like a son", said he had instructed his lawyers to initiate legal procedures.
He said he filed a police report on Friday (Nov 17) evening in Kajang and would send a letter of demand to those who spread the video.
"We have learnt (from the past) how politicians can be brought down with sexual accusations. Now it has happened to me," he said.
However, he said he would not reveal the identities of "Mr H" and others involved.
"I will leave it to my lawyers and the police to investigate," he said.
Earlier, Mohammad Agus resigned from his position citing he had received a job offer in Indonesia.
However, he said he would not be taking the offer just yet and would stay to face the accusations.
"I will stay until this case is over," he said.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
