AZMIN Ali said the videos that purportedly show him having sex with a man are the work of a party insider.

The economic affairs minister said he was convinced this was the case and the public could deduce for themselves the masterminds behind the clips.

“I am convinced,” Azmin was quoted as saying in news reports today after attending a Selangor government event in Shah Alam this morning.

“From the very beginning, I am sure that this has a political agenda, done by certain people who intend to halt my progression in the government as well as in politics.

“Let the people judge the matter, as it has been proven that the perception of who is behind the conspiracy and claims continues to build up,” he was quoted as saying today after a Star report said a PKR leader has been uncontactable since being linked to PKR deputy president’s accuser, Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz.

Azmin yesterday gave a statement to police over the sex clips.

His lawyer, N. Surendran, said the force contacted the minister’s office on Sunday, asking for Azmin’s statement as part of investigations.

He said Azmin gave priority to the matter and complied with cops’ request.

“There are obvious signs of an organised and systematic attempt to discredit and bring down the minister with this false and malicious video,” said Surendran in a statement.

“The perpetrators had access to the leaked personal data of party members, sophisticated means and a clear political agenda.

“We trust that police will get to the bottom of this soon, and identify and take action against the culprits, according to the law.”

He did not say where Azmin’s statement was recorded.

Santubong PKR Youth chief Haziq last week “confessed” to being one of the men in the video and named Azmin as the other individual.

“The video was made without my permission on May 11 during the Sandakan by-election in (the minister’s) room at Hotel Four Points.

“I urge the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate (the minister) for corruption. He is an individual unfit to be a leader.”

Haziq, who has been suspended from his duties as an aide to Deputy Primary Industries Minister Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, was arrested as he was about to board a flight to Manila, the Philippines, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 6pm on Friday.

He was released on police bail on Sunday.

Azmin, in a statement denying Haziq’s allegation, described it as “vicious libel”.

He said he has instructed his lawyers to take action against the PKR Youth leader and other perpetrators.

Azmin’s political secretary, Muhammad Hilman Idham, has lodged two police reports over the matter.

Police have established a special team, comprising the force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and forensic unit, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, to investigate the case.

The team is headed by federal CID chief Huzir Mohamed.

On Sunday, Huzir said investigations will be conducted under Sections 292 (sale of obscene materials), 504 (intent to provoke, to breach the peace) and 377B (carnal intercourse against nature) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act. – June 18, 2019.