Shamsul baffled that 'professional' Haziq did what he did

Deputy Primary Industries Minister Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (above) said he was baffled that Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz, whom he described as a "good and professional" staff, could end up in the centre of a sex video scandal.

Shamsul, who is also PKR information chief, said this was asked about his feelings as Haziq's employer. Haziq is Shamsul's senior private secretary under the ministry.

"I was 'blur' (stumped) [...] there is a lot of talk on social media but as the person who appointed him, I am indeed baffled because in the six months he was on duty, he did not show such characteristics," he told a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya today.

Shamsul said during his employment, there had been no complaints against Haziq.

"He was professional and yesterday when I met with the ministry's chief secretary, there were no complaints.

"To me, he has done his job well but I do not know about his intentions," he said.

The deputy minister said he had known Haziq since 2011 when Haziq was involved in social movements as a student activist.

Shamsul said he last contacted Haziq before leaving for Myanmar on an official trip on Tuesday.

He said he asked Haziq to appear in office via text message before he left Myanmar for Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

But unfortunately, he said, Haziq did not show up.

"He has been absent from work without leave since Tuesday," he said.

The deputy minister added that, according to his officer, Haziq's family was in the dark over the Santubong PKR Youth chief's whereabouts.

Shamsul, said he had instructed an officer to console Haziq's family members, who were said to be saddened by the incident.

On June 12, Haziq claimed to have been filmed in a sex video, with another individual whom he alleged was Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali.

Azmin had denied Haziq's allegation, calling it a character assassination intended to destroy his political career. - Mkini