I was not talking about Dr Mahathir in the video, says Musa

PETALING JAYA: Former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam has taken issue with a video titled Korek, Bongkar, Dedah (Dig, Break, Expose) which suggested that he brought out the bad side of his former boss Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The 20-second video, which is being circulated, was edited to make it as though he had used unsavoury words to describe Dr Mahathir, said Musa.

He had served as Dr Mahathir’s deputy between 1981 and 1986.

“Actually, I was responding to the master of ceremonies at an event who asked me to comment on alle- gations that I had to leave my post because Dr Mahathir blackmailed me.

“In denying the allegations, I mentioned the name of a political activist who said Dr Mahathir removed me based on certain accusations,” he said in a statement.

The video, he said, had highlight- ed words he used like kotor (dirty) and dosa besar (big sin).

Musa said these words were directed at the same activist, who he added was well-known for his “political fairy tales”, and not at Dr Mahathir.

He also said he did not utter the words “dictator” or “firaun” (phar- aoh) at the time.

According to Musa, the video was taken at a talk that took place about four years ago.

Musa said he was sad that the video was making its rounds, especially when the country was changing to promote better freedom of speech.