I READ with dismay Anwar Ibrahim’s contention that Malaysians are keen to know the authenticity of the gay sex video and the mastermind behind it in The Malaysian Insight today.

Coming from a so-called prime minister-in-waiting, does Anwar not realise that his statement will only help proliferate gutter politics, which we are trying so hard to get rid of?

Why the obsession with knowing the identity of those featured in the gay sex video, of which former PKR Santubong Youth chief Haziq Aziz had admitted to being part of? How does knowing the mastermind who circulated the videos help advance the cause of the people who face real-life problems like the rising costs of living?

There is absolutely no need to dwell in what goes on in the private confines of a bedroom when there are far more pressing issues that the country is facing. And there is definitely no need to lend credence to gutter politics by throwing your weight around the authorities over this issue, especially coming from someone seen as the incoming prime minister.

Anwar’s statement is all the more disappointing considering he himself had claimed to be a victim of gutter politics in the past two decades, not once but twice, with both occasions ending up being imprisoned.

One would have thought that Anwar would show more empathy towards the victim of gutter politics, especially when that person is his No. 2 in PKR and the two had gone back a long way.

It didn’t help that Anwar’s outburst came less than 24 hours after the arrest of Haziq and five others in connection with the gay sex video which had implicated the economic affairs minister. There was really no need for Anwar to project the image of being in panic mode or afraid of the truth, especially with the cops now having ascertained the authenticity of the video. 

If we – Anwar included – do not halt the advances made by those who resort to gutter politics, Anwar himself will become a victim of this evil deed all over again. What if the press start prying into his personal life like whether or not he had been living separately from his deputy prime minister wife for the past six months? Isn’t it his accomplishments in public service more important to the people? 

Taking a strong stance against gutter politics is one thing. Walking the talk is another. The least Anwar could have done was to disempower gutter politics by not giving undue attention to this menace. – July 16, 2019.

* Khoo Sian Chong reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.