BANGI – The junior staffer at the Community Communications Department (J-Kom) in the WhatsApp video call with former director-general Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff admitted to recording their conversation for one “Mr H” within the agency for the purpose of entrapment.
Abdul Wahab Abdul Kadir Jilani, 33, who began working at J-Kom on November 1, said Mr H was the mastermind behind the viral clip of the video call that shows Agus making lewd remarks.
However, Wahab, who has four children, said the conversation in the video was fabricated by “irresponsible parties” trying to tarnish Agus’ reputation, and did not reflect the actual chat they had.
Wahab, who is an assistant officer in J-Kom, said Mr H instructed him to record a conversation with Agus to frame the latter.
“As a new officer in J-Kom, I felt excited to execute my given duty. I was instructed to make a video in conversation with (Agus) to get evidence that he was involved in immoral activities.”
“Frankly, the video that I recorded did not contain any audio,” he told a press conference at the Tenera Hotel in Bandar Baru Bangi, this evening, where Agus and his lawyers were also present.
Wahab said he was shocked seeing the leaked video, which he said had been edited using a voice-over technique to show that the two men were engaging in a salacious conversation.
“I realise that I was used by certain parties to oust (Agus),” Wahab said.
“Before this, I thought that I was part of the right side that truly wished to cleanse J-Kom from negative elements. It turns out, I was used in a cruel conspiracy to slander (Agus),” he said, adding the incident had tarnished his own image as well.
Neither Wahab nor Agus would elaborate on who “Mr H” is other than that the person worked in J-Kom.
Wahab said he had placed the call to Agus.
He also said he has given his lawyers a list of individuals he believes are involved in the conspiracy, including those with high-profile positions in the agency.
Similarly, Agus said he filed a police report on the incident earlier today, and has instructed his lawyers to take necessary follow-up action.
Agus, who was appointed by the unity government as J-Kom director-general at the Prime Minister’s Office in February, tendered his resignation yesterday, saying he received an offer for a different job, and not due to any pressure.
His resignation followed criticism of J-Kom’s lacklustre performance of its mandate to disseminate government information, and after the leaked clip of the video call surfaced.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has confirmed the resignation, and that a new person for the post would be found soon. – November 17, 2023