A former deputy premier today claimed he could not recall giving an interview where he allegedly said he could have been implicated in a sex scandal if he challenged Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his cabinet days.

Musa Hitam, who was deputy prime minister from 1981 to 1986, was also alleged to have said in the interview that Mahathir and his camp created a conspiracy to topple ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence for sodomy and corruption charges.

I do not remember this particular interview and regret that it is obviously used by a political party for its own agenda, Musa said when contacted.

As to the alleged quotations, they are so riddled with inaccurate facts that I would rather not respond so as to avoid further political exploitation, he added.

A report in Harakah daily  PAS online organ  today claimed Musa had expressed his controversial opinions during an interview with an Australian National University doctoral candidate writing a thesis on Malaysian politics.

The party organ quoted Musa as saying (in the interview): If I refuse to resign and choose to oppose Dr Mahathir, he would probably have 10 men say that I have had sexual relations with them.

Expressed consent

However, Musa, who now heads the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), told malaysiakini that his statements could only be used with his expressed consent.

In the last couple of years, I have been interviewed by so many journalists and academics. For journalists I have always insisted that only with my personal approval could my quotes be used.

If the purpose is for an academic interview they (the quotes) would serve as background for research material only, he said.

Asked if he would take legal action against Harakah , Musa declined to comment.

Musa, who resigned as deputy prime minister as a result of political differences with Mahathir, had also served as chairperson of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

In an immediate reaction Keadilan Youth deputy chief Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he was shocked by Musas alleged conspiracy remarks.

However, Saifuddin said these remarks strengthened the notion that Anwar was brought down by a political conspiracy.

This shows how Dr Mahathir is capable of using slander and dirty tactics to bring the downfall of his opponents.

It is strengthened by Musas statement which was put forward in a neutral way in the academic thesis, Saifuddin told malaysiakini .