No prosecution in sex video scandal, Anwar hints at acceptance

After having previously called for Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali's resignation from the cabinet if found guilty of involvement in an alleged sex scandal, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today indicated acceptance that there will be no prosecutions linked to the case.

"I read the statement... I think the attorney-general had decided based on the evidence adduced to him.

"So, we will leave it at that," Anwar told reporters when met after a forum hosted by the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Istac) in Kuala Lumpur.

He said this in response to Attorney-General Tommy Thomas' announcement on Thursday that no prosecution would follow from the controversial sex videos which allegedly implicated Azmin and a former political aide.

Thomas said the decision was made after forensic video experts in Malaysia and the United States were unable to confirm the identities of the individuals in the video.

Anwar's initial call for Azmin's resignation was made last July, several months prior to the party's controversial national congress which saw a walkout led by leaders and members aligned to the PKR deputy president.

Azmin, who gathered his supporters in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8 - the last day of PKR's congress - had alluded to Anwar's call for him to resign, lamenting how he had always defended the Port Dickson MP against various claims of sexual misconduct.

Since then, Anwar had made various public overtures to reconcile with Azmin, who together with PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin, attended the party's political bureau meeting last week after over a year of absence.

'Transition must be peaceful'

Meanwhile, Anwar also said he was grateful for the show of concern by PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli over the transition plan to appoint him as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's successor.

"I think this issue must be handled well.

"The interest of Mahathir's administration must be supported, and the same support should be given after the transition," said Anwar.

"That means the transition must occur in a peaceful manner," he added.

Rafizi on Thursday had said if Mahathir did not commit to a timeline for the transition of power to Anwar by early next year, a retirement date may be imposed on the former.

As one of those responsible for drafting the transition pact between Mahathir and Anwar, Rafizi said Pakatan Harapan may be forced to impose the retirement date as the rakyat would have lost their patience over the issue by then.

Since then, Mahathir had said there is no definite timeline for the handover although he repeatedly said he was committed to honouring the agreement.

Most recently, Mahathir had said he would only step down after the final leaders’ meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum hosted in Malaysia in November this year. - Mkini