Malaysian politics was pervaded by sex again today when the former chief imam of the national mosque revealed the alleged carnal escapades of several top Umno leaders that also involved underaged women.

Taib Azamudden Md Taibs revelation followed the calls by several Umno leaders urging him to disclose a big secret which could supposedly exonerate Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

It was widely speculated that the secret was related to jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahims homosexuality.

However, at a press conference at the opposition PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning, Taib, who is now the PAS MP for Baling, exposed the sexual rendevous of the Umno brass instead. He however said he would not mention names unless requested to do so.

Taibs expos included:

  • The extra-marital relationship of a former chief editor of a mainstream newspaper when his wife was bedridden and nearly paralysed.

  • The legality of the marriage between a former menteri besar and top Umno leader and a divorce which took place in Thailand.

  • The arrest of a top Umno leader for close proximity with an artiste in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

  • The extra-marital affair of a top Umno leader with a married woman, who was later divorced by her husband.

  • Sexual relationship between a top Umno leader with an underage girl.

  • The problems of a top Umno leader, who was a candidate for an Umno branch, alleged to have forced his wife to have unnatural sex with him, resulting in a divorce.

    • Look at yourselves

    In my opinion, those who asked me to expose these secrets should look at themselves in a mirror, they will realise then that they should be the last persons to urge me to reveal these secrets, said Taib.

    The former imam said it was normal then for government officials to seek his views, advice, guidance and counseling concerning private and confidential issues related to Islam.

    My role was merely to listen, advise and counsel with sincerity based on facts, not to judge, punish or investigate, not even to condemn, said Taib who was the chief imam of the national mosque from 1992 to 1999.

    Last month, parliamentary secretary for the Information Ministry Zainuddin Maidin started the ball rolling when he said Taib was keeping a big secret that could clear the prime ministers name.

    On April 29, Umno vice-president and former Selangor Menteri Besar Muhammad Muhd Taib and Information minister Khalil Yaakob was reported to have said that the former imam was reluctant to reveal the secret.

    A few days later, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also jumped onto the bandwagon and urged Taib to reveal the secret.