Sex video probe: 'Don't let AG use police

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Ismail Omar must ensure that the investigation of the sex video scandal is carried out free of political or other forms of pressure, said former Kuala Lumpur CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim.

This is given the history of bad blood between two key figures - attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail (right) and former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik - and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar has denied he is the man in the video and lodged a police report.

Investigations are now underway under Section 292 of the Penal Code relating to the distribution of obscene material.


Mat Zain, who had previously emerged from retirement to point an incriminating finger at Abdul Gani for his alleged role in the 'black eye' incident of Sept 20, 1998 - involving Anwar and then IGP Rahim Mohd Noor - warned today against allowing a repeat of the debacle.

In a detailed open letter to Ismail, copies of which were distributed to the media, he said: “The investigation papers (into the sex video scandal) will be scrutinised by (Abdul) Gani as attorney-general.”

At this stage, he said, it is expected that there will occur distortion, lies and fabrication just as these occurred in the investigation into the black eye incident.

“We can predict the stand of Abdul Gani, what more when this issue involves a confrontation between Rahim (Thamby Chik) and Anwar.”

Mat Zain said he does not personally know Rahim (left) and has never met him.

In fact, he said, he was rather surprised when Rahim emerged as one of three personalities who admitted to being behind the screening of the sex video to journalists and editors at a luxury hotel in Kuala Lumpur last Monday.

He expressed the hope that the information given to Ismail in his letter would help him to ensure justice for all the parties.

“Whatever it is, I hope Tan Sri (Ismail) will not allow the Royal Malaysian Police to be used by the attorney-general as occurred during the years before you,” added Mat Zain.

Past connections

Mat Zain had previously alleged that the investigation in 1998 into the assault on Anwar saw wilful interference as well as concealment and distortion of evidence by Abdul Gani, who was then a senior deputy public prosecutor.

The allegations arose after Mat Zain was himself accused by Anwar of fabricating evidence during the investigations.

Mat Zain also alleged that Ismail's predecessor, Musa Hassan, had worked hand-in-glove with Abdul Gani to distort the police probe into the 'black eye' incident.

However, Abdul Gani and Musa were subsequently been cleared of any wrongdoing by the authorities.

Mat Zain further recounted that on Aug 20, 1999, Anwar had lodged a police report against former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former attorney-general Mohtar Abdullah and Abdul Gani for allegedly “protecting” Rahim from corruption allegations involving money and shares worth RM40 million.

The police report was submitted under his watch while he was KL CID chief, said Mat Zain.

However, said Mat Zain, the investigation was “hijacked” and its findings “reversed” after Musa was appointed to investigate Anwar - who had cited an Anti-Corruption Agency (now the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) document in his report on Rahim - for breaching the Official Secrets Act.

“What happened was that Abdul Gani, facilitated by Musa, reversed the situation of Anwar's (police) report over Rahim, leading to Anwar being investigated under the Official Secrets Act.

“In other words, the report concerning Rahim was hijacked by Musa from the Kuala Lumpur CID,” said Mat Zain.

Rahim was later cleared of any wrongdoing by Mohtar.

Zain also suggested that the video scandal was the outcome of bad blood between Rahim and Anwar.