Interfaith Council: "UMNO is disgusting."
Non-Muslim interfaith council shows disgust over sex tape
KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — A non-Muslim interfaith council today demanded the government take “swift action” against those responsible for the sex video allegedly involving Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president Reverend Dr Thomas Philips said in a statement that the scandal adds to a list of humiliating headlines that puts the country on the map for the wrong reasons.
“It is with great disgust and disbelief that we Malaysians were regaled over the last few days with the graphic narration of the existence and viewing of a 21-minute sex video to a select few masterminded and acknowledged by a trio under the pseudonym ‘Datuk T’.
“Their aim in publicly humiliating our elected opposition leader of Parliament offends the sensitivities of decent people no matter what race or religion they belong to,” he said.
The video first made headlines on March 21 when an unidentified man known only as “Datuk T” screened the clip to the media at the Carcosa Seri Negara hotel here.
Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers have since disputed the authenticity of the video clip, claiming it was a part of a conspiracy by Umno to topple the opposition leader ahead of the coming Sarawak polls.
Two days later, PKR MP Datuk Johari Abdul unmasked “Datuk T” and revealed that Datuk Shazryl Eskay and Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik were behind the recording.
Johari said he had been invited by the duo to view the recording last Monday and was later enticed to defect to Umno.
Immediately after Johari’s revelation, Shazryl and Abdul Rahim convened a press conference of their own to admit that they were behind the clip.
They also claimed that “Datuk T” referred to the word “Trio” and named themselves, as well as Johari’s uncle, Datuk Shuib Lazim, who is also Perkasa treasurer and a former Umno senator, as a part of the threesome.
Philips pointed out that over the last few decades, Malaysians have been “treated to and numbed by” a number of financial scandals, social scandals, and political scandals, committed by those supposedly dedicated to leading our citizens through “leadership by example”.
“It does no good to the oft heard and repeated phrase ‘Malaysia is a moderate Islamic country’ in international discourses, corridors and cafeterias. No one is fooled anymore. Malaysia’s image is further tarnished by irresponsible and selfish leaders like those who acknowledged their shameless involvement.
“We call on the government to take swift and firm action against all those behind this scandal and begin determinedly to usher in a new era of self-respect, pride, trust and hope for the general well-being of all citizens of this rich land of beautiful people and plentiful resources,” he demanded.
Police arrested Abdul Rahim and Shazryl in connection with the sex video allegedly featuring Anwar and a female prostitute on March 25.
Shazryl and former Malacca Chief Minister Abdul Rahim were subsequently freed on bail.
Bukit Aman Secretariat chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Ghazali Md Amin confirmed the arrests and said that several items have also been seized from the two.
He also said the duo had revealed where the sex video was filmed and that a forensics team has been sent to inspect the scene.
Ghazali, however, did not confirm the identity of the two.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar told reporters that the police were still trying to determine the identity of the recorded individuals as well as the person or persons responsible for setting up the cameras.
Abdul Rahim and Shazryl had lodged a police report at the Bukit Aman police headquarters and subsequently spent about five hours there to have their statements recorded.
They also surrendered the original recording of the 21-minute video and an Omega watch, which they claimed to be Anwar’s.
MCCBCHST also urged the government to distance itself from all forms of “deceit and cunning” and bring the perpetrators of this latest scandal to face the full extent of the law.
“Further, the government should employ every means to quell the rising anger, disquiet and dismay over this uncalled for sordid and despicable attempt, by an unscrupulous few, to achieve their own personal disgusting agenda,” Philips said.
The black-and-white video was allegedly taken on February 21 at a hotel room in Kuala Lumpur.
It begins with footage showing a man the trio claim to be Anwar, a woman with East Asian features and another unidentified man in the room.
The second part, recorded from four slightly different angles, showed the man receiving oral sex from the woman and then having sexual intercourse with her in several positions.
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