Eskay: Saya tidak tuduh Anwar zina

Eskay denies hiring woman in sex video

Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, the main person behind the screening of a sex video featuring a man resembling Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, has denied any role in hiring the woman seen in the footage.

“No, I did not. However, I cannot reveal much as the matter is still under police investigation,” he said when quizzed by journalists on whether he had played the role of a pimp, since he was the third man seen in the controversial video.

The woman is allegedly a sex worker. Her identity, along with the location where the video was recorded, remains unknown but Eskay has reiterated that it was “made in Malaysia”.

Today, he claimed that he had not accused Anwar of committing zina (adultery).

“I want the reporters to ask… because you guys know him (Anwar) best – you have been interviewing him – adakah ini (is this) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?

“Fitnah atau tak fitnah (slander or not), it has nothing to do with me. It is up to the public to perceive who he (Anwar) is. As far as I am concerned, I will do whatever needs to be done.”

Eskay said a lot of accusations have been made against him following the revelation and that he wanted to set the record straight.

This was why he took the oath (sumpah laknat) at the Sentul mosque last Friday.

“I (did) this to prove that I did not lie. If I have lied, (tragedy) will befall me.

“In fact, I had challenged Anwar to do so in the same (Amru Al As) mosque, but he did not appear.”

Eskay had sworn on the Quran that: “Pada hari ini, 29 April 2011, dengan nama Allah yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Penyayang, saya Shazryl Eskay Abdullah berikrar dan bersumpah seperti berikut: A’uzubillahi minal syaitanirrajim, aku bersumpah bahawa aku dan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berada dalam paparan video yang dirakamkan pada 21 Februari 2011. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim adalah pelaku dalam video tersebut. Sekiranya aku melakukan fitnah, maka Allah akan melaknat akanku.”

The screening of the video on March 21 by ‘Datuk T’ – the code-name used by Eskay, Risda chairperson Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik and former Perkasa treasurer Shuib Lazim – has created a political storm.

Anwar’s family members and party colleagues have dismissed his purported involvement, pointing to physical differences between him and the man in the video.

Eskay’s role in the matter has been complicated by the fact that he is seen in the early parts of the video. He has not denied that he is the third person in the video clip.

He had previously said he decided to screen the video, after recovering a secret recording device located in the room, to expose Anwar as “an immoral person”.

Eskay claimed that he made the discovery after being instructed by Anwar to search for an Omega brand watch left in the room.

No idea when he will be charged

Police have classified the case under Section 292 of the Penal Code for possession of, and showing, obscene material.

Eskay said he had no idea when he would be charged.

He explained that he had been called to the Kepong police station today to explain why he took an oath at the the mosque, which caused a commotion.

“They asked me who (else) was in the mosque. I told them that I knew (only that) most of them were reporters and observers who I did not know (personally).”

He admitted he was wearing a bullet-proof vest during the ceremony, explaining that it was necessary.

“I was a former (Thai honorary) consul-general (in Langkawi) and the vest is mine and does not belong to anyone else. I have handled peace talks in southern Thailand, so it is mine.

“I was wearing it as it turned out to be unruly at the mosque,” he said.

Eskay criticised the disruptive behaviour of a group of opposition supporters at the mosque.

“This is a house of God. Such things should not happen. I was there not to laknat orang (to curse others) but to curse myself. If I have lied, it will bring about (a bad) situation (for me).

“Hence, why stop me and bring about this commotion at the mosque? It is not proper.”

Eskay was unable to confirm if the two others behind the screening of the sex video – Rahim, who is a former Malacca chief minister (left) and Shuib – also wore bullet-proof vests when at the mosque.

The duo had accompanied Eskay to the mosque, but did not take the oath.

According to Eskay, Shuib and Rahim are expected to have their statements recorded by the police later today.

On taking a polygraph test, as suggested by Kelantan executive councillor Husam Musa, Eskay said he was up to the challenge.

“That is why I want Anwar to also take the challenge and the condition which I want to impose is that Anwar must do it first and then (I will do so), as I have (sworn) the sumpah laknat oath,” he said.

“Also, I want it (the event) to be covered ‘live’ by you reporters, so all people can see and there will not be any accusations of conspiracy.”

Eskay, a businessperson, left in a silver Waja with two men who appeared to be bodyguards.

However, after waiting for two hours, there was no sign of Shuib and Rahim at the police station

www.malaysiakini.com
Hafiz Yatim