KUALA LUMPUR — PKR will survive its latest sex scandal involving deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali because of the resilience it has built since Mr Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy allegation, party leaders told The Malaysian Insight.

Mr Azmin, who is also economic affairs minister, is implicated in sex videos, along with former Santubong PKR youth chief Haziq Abdullah Abdul Aziz.

Vice-president Chua Tian Chang, better known as Mr Tian Chua, said he believes the party has the ability to weather the storm.

“The rule of law must be applied equally for everyone. I hope police will investigate in a fair and transparent manner, without interference from any side, including people who hold power.

“If anyone is found to be in the wrong, appropriate legal action should be taken.

“Justice must come first. I believe PKR has the resilience to withstand this test.”

Communications director Fahmi Fadzil said PKR must stay strong and united as there is a lot of misinformation and people are taking advantage of the situation.

The party will cooperate with investigators, he said, adding that PKR is used to this style of political warfare.

PKR, the biggest party in the ruling coalition, is no stranger to sex scandals.

“We are very familiar with this style of political warfare,” said Mr Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP.

“From the start, my assessment has been that this is being done in a very sophisticated and complicated manner.”

This indicates that whoever is behind the latest scandal is familiar with such political manoeuvring, he said.

However, said Mr Fahmi, it’s too soon to come to a conclusion.

Police have arrested nine people, including Haziq and Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, as they investigate the sex clips. Farhash is also political secretary to party president Anwar.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said police are not ruling out the possibility that there was a conspiracy behind the videos, and those arrested had taken orders from a higher-up.

It is also possible that politicians and a pressure group were involved, he said.

PKR central committee member Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid said the relationship between the party’s senior leaders, including himself, and Mr Azmin remains good.

“I am good with him (Azmin), but I’ll question if something is wrong.”

He added that it is important for the administration to uphold moral values.

On whether Mr Azmin should go on leave, Mr Sani said it is best for him to do so.

Mr Anwar said on Wednesday (July 17) that Mr Azmin should resign from his cabinet post if there is truth to the allegations against him.

Mr Fahmi agreed with the PKR president, saying the latter has made the party’s position clear.

“If there’s no basis for him (Azmin) to go on leave, he should remain. I think that position is quite clear.” THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT