PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) said yesterday Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali does not have to go on leave to facilitate the investigation into a viral controversial video implicating the Economic Affairs Minister.
A minister should only take leave if the investigation is related to wrongdoing or crime, he said, adding that the case related to Mohamed Azmin is politically motivated.
“In fact, it is intended to embarrass him and to ask him to take leave. I don’t like this political evidence,” he told reporters when met at the Prime Minister’s Department Hari Raya open house here.
Dr Mahathir said the investigation into the video could continue and Mohamed Azmin, who is PKR deputy president, would not cause any obstruction.
Mohamed Azmin gave his statement to the police on Monday on the video allegedly linked to him.
Last week, he vehemently denied the allegation by an individual who attempted to link him to the sex video, calling it a nefarious plot to assassinate his reputation and character in an attempt to destroy his political career.
Asked about the calls for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to hand over the post to her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Mahathir said they had the right to propose.
“They can make a proposal. Whether I accept is a different matter,” he said.
Bersatu Selangor treasurer Mohd Shaid Rosli, who is also Jeram assemblyman, had said that it is a necessary step in the transition plan which involves the handing over of the prime minister’s post from Dr Mahathir to Anwar.
On the criticisms against his remarks about Jews during a recent talk in the United Kingdom, Dr Mahathir said he was just expressing his opinion.
“They talk about freedom of speech. If I can’t say that thing, that’s not free speech.
“That’s why I said the Europeans have double standards. When they like, it’s free speech, when they don’t like, it’s wrong,” he said. – Bernama
