Suaram strongly condemns the actions of former Malacca chief minister and Umno veteran Rahim Thamby Chik, Shazryl Eskay Abdullah and Perkasa’s Shuib Lazim, the individuals behind the broadcast of the sex tape allegedly involving opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Suaram condemns such cheap politicking by the trio. Anwar Ibrahim has said that he is not the man in the video and that he is a victim of this dastardly act.  Such an action by the trio amounts to a “smear” campaign against Pakatan Rakyat and Anwar Ibrahim particularly before the Sarawak state election.  

Such sensationalised and sexualised politicking is low, shameful and an insult to the dignity and humanity of all Malaysians.  

Suaram also criticises the manner in which certain local dailies have chosen to sensationalise the video without due respect for the victim’s dignity and integrity. While the trial of Anwar Ibrahim on the charge of sodomy has drawn international concerns about whether he will be given a fair trial, the government-controlled media has yet again sensationalised this latest caper in the same way they did over sodomy trial 1 in 1999.

They have given headline prominence to the accuser’s allegations in an attempt to besmirch Anwar’s reputation. The latest incident bears the characteristic political persecution of the leader of the opposition who has since the general elections of 2008, posed the biggest challenge to the ruling regime since Independence.

Furthermore, the insistence by de facto law minister Nazri Aziz that it is not illegal for the people behind this caper to show the sex video to journalists and editors is not befitting a minister of law.

What the law minister is saying is that it is fine and not illegal for anyone to call up a group of people to watch a pornographic video. Does he enjoy immunity and impunity for breaches of the law and actions which have brought world-wide shame to the nation?

We wish to remind all concerned to be mindful of Article 12 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that, “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks”.  

Suaram calls on the police to investigate the trio who have emerged to claim responsibility for their public showing of this pornographic tape and to charge them under the appropriate section of the law.

Nalini E is Suaram coordinator.