PM rules out need for Azmin to go on leave pending probe
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has ruled out the need for Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali to go on leave pending police investigations into his alleged sex scandal...
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has ruled out the need for Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali to go on leave pending police investigations into his alleged sex scandal.
"Why? They (police) can continue (their probe). He is not going to be an obstruction to the investigation," he told reporters in Putrajaya this afternoon.
Mahathir said this was not similar to the situation when Pakatan Harapan urged BN leaders to go on leave when investigated during their tenure in office.
"(Those were) other investigations of wrongdoing or crimes, (so) they can take leave," he added.
In Azmin's case, Mahathir said the scandal was planned to embarrass the minister and to push for him to go on leave.
The premier, who is also Harapan chairperson, said he would not interfere in PKR's internal affairs.
"I don't interfere," Mahathir replied when asked if he would intervene to prevent a rift within PKR, adding police had not briefed him as yet on their investigations into the sex video scandal.
Four sex videos, purportedly featuring Azmin, had been distributed via WhatsApp since June 11.
Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz (above) claimed to have been one of the men featured in the videos, with the other being the minister.
The videos are perceived to have deepened an internal split between two factions, that of PKR deputy president Azmin and president Anwar Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Mahathir did not provide a clear answer when asked whether he agreed with Selangor Bersatu treasurer Mohd Shaid Rosli, who had urged Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to step down as deputy prime minister to make way for her husband, Anwar.
"He has a right to propose (that Wan Azizah step down). They can make a proposal but whether I accept it is a different matter," he said.
Mohd Shaid had said this was a necessary step in the transition plan which involves the handover of the premiership from Mahathir to Anwar.
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