Cops probing viral video

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are investigating claims of defamation and the identity of the mysterious “Mr H” following a video recording of what appeared to be an indecent conversation between former Community Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff and another man.

The viral clip showed a man looking like Mohammad Agus having the said conversation with another man named “Wahab”.

On Thursday, Mohammad Agus sent notice to resign from his job.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that police have received a report lodged by Mohammad Agus on Friday night in Kajang. They had also taken a statement from him, confirmed Comm Hussein.

“The case has since been referred to Bukit Aman CID Special Investigation Unit (USJT) for further investigation.

“We will leave it to the USJT to take further action, including calling up persons of interest in the case,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the USJT will call up Mohammad Agus again for his statement to be recorded further in connection with the video, which contained the conversation.

“We will call him up to get his statement recorded again, as soon as possible. We will also call up J-Kom assistant officer Abdul Wahab Abdul Kadir Jilani to assist with the investigation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth has lodged a police report, urging the authorities to investigate the authenticity of the video recording. Its assistant secretary Muhammad Faiz Rahmad said a transparent investigation must be conducted to ensure the truth will come out.

“The individual linked to the viral video is someone close to the country’s leadership and had a very important job. We hope the police will investigate the matter thoroughly,” he added.

In a press conference on Friday, Mohammad Agus described the viral video as an internal conspiracy to sabotage his career and reputation. Claiming the video was actually rigged, Mohammad Agus said the video was doctored to frame him.

Also at the press conference was J-Kom assistant officer Abdul Wahab, who claimed the video was created by an individual he called “Mr H” who wanted to sabotage Mohammad Agus.

Without revealing his identity, he said “Mr H” is an official in J-Kom and had lured him to film a video with Mohammad Agus, who was his superior.

Abdul Wahab, who admitted having called Mohammad Agus several times for casual chats, claimed that the original video he filmed was without audio.

Abdul Wahab said he decided to come clean and tell the truth because he wanted to right the wrong.

“I am here to clarify the purported lewd video between me and Mohammad Agus that has gone viral recently was doctored and edited to degrade him.

“The conspiracy was created by several high-ranking officials in 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 soon after and introduced to him several other officials at several hotels in Kuala Lumpur.