Former Community Communications (J-KOM) Department director-general Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff who is implicated in a controversial lewd video stood before the press tonight in Bangi to answer some tough questions.
Also with him to do the same, was the man he was engaging in the clip, Abdul Wahab Abdul Kadir Jilani.
Both admitted it was them in the video but claimed that the audio had been doctored.
Here are some of their answers to the hour-long grilling session.
Q: Is it normal for you to engage with a subordinate like that? (Describing the call between Agus and Wahab despite their different ranks)
Agus: It is very common for me to engage in video calls with other officers.
It's normal that I do video calls with everybody. With my friends, directors.
It is nothing, none that can be taken offence to.
Wahab, he is naive. There are some family needs that he needs (help with). I gave him some advice.
I don't think that it is weird.
Q: Can you explain the kissing gestures you made in the video?
Agus: That is too specific, I can't even remember it anymore.
But I still remember when you asked that question. There was a video of the PM saying that he cannot accept criticism and the lips were in sync. That is the kind of technology we have now.
(Agus claimed that a previous video of the PM making a statement was an edited version using the same technique used on his viral clip, presumably from a video editing programme)
Q:You claim the original video had no audio and was doctored by one Mr H. Would you challenge him to make the original public?
Agus: I don't know what original video of Mr. H has. It's not me who had published the video.
If you asked me that question, definitely I am not in the position to answer it and you have to ask Wahab for that.
Reporter to Wahab: So what's your response?
Wahab: I will leave it to the police.
Earlier during the press conference, Wahab had explained that he no longer have the "undoctored" video in his possession.
Q:Wahab, did you have your clothes on during the conversation (Wahab was seen shirtless in the video)
Wahab: Yes, I was wearing my shirt.
Q: Where were both of you when the video was recorded?
Wahab: I was home.
Agus: I was on vacation.
Later a reporter asked whether the hotel Agus was staying is in the country or overseas.
Agus: I can only say that I was on vacation.
Q:(Wahab began with an explainer that he was tasked to frame Agus) How did the instruction to "frame Agus Yusoff" came to be?
Wahab: Around Nov 2023, I met Mr H in his office. Starting from there, several meetings were arranged by Mr H where I was being taken to hotels around Kuala Lumpur to meet individuals who were mentioned by Mr H as influential.
During my meeting with Mr H, I was told that he had received information from a certain party that Datuk Dr Agus was involved in immoral activities.
Mr H stated that he has been assigned to clean J-KOM from the inside.
He also assured me that he is supported by some influential individuals who want to bring down Datuk.
Mr H had also dropped me a conversation showing in his WhatsApp with some influential individuals who supported him.
Q: A reporter had questioned Agus on the manner he is talking to Wahab.
Agus: Ya Allah, I can say that it was casual conversation. Like a father and son. We were talking about many things.
Such as, "how are you?", "how's your family" and "how's your life?"
Q: Would you subject yourself to a voice analysis to prove it wasn't you in the viral video.
Agus: I have handed this matter over to the police for investigation.
As for the willingness, it no longer arises. When we engage in such matters, we need to comply with cooperation and provide assistance to the relevant authorities.
Q: Who initiated the call?
Agus: I called Wahab, I called him
Later, a reporter had asked him to corroborate his statement as Wahab had claimed that he initiated it, to frame Agus and asked why Agus then claimed to h
ave made the call first. Wahab then responded.
Wahab: (We can't) say it is a contradictory statement. The (original) video was longer in duration. What went viral was cropped.
Q: How long have you been with J-KOM? A reporter asked Wahab.
Wahab: I have been in J-KOM for more than two weeks. I started my job with J-KOM on Nov 1.
Q: (Reporters asking Wahab) What was your previous employment?
Wahab: I was in the food and beverage business
Wahab also later confirmed that he is still the Hulu Langat PKR deputy Youth chief.
Q: Are you married?
Wahab: Yes, I'm married with four kids.
Q: The status of the duo's police report?
Agus: Yes, we have lodged a police report earlier this evening.
Wahab: We will update in one or two days.
Q: Did you resign because of this?
Agus: I was planning to resign in a soft landing manner, but I didn't know that the video went viral.