Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police, Abdul Hamid Bador, said in a statement on July 18 that suggested the police knows the identity of the person responsible for the gay sex video that has rocked the political establishment.

According to Malaysiakini, he said:

"The video, circulated with the aim of raising concern among the people, was produced by those (who) paid hundreds of thousands of ringgit."

Political party leader responsible

Abdul Hamid said that a "leader of a political party" was responsible, and added there was a "wicked pact to embarrass and tarnish the reputation of a certain individual".

However, he did not cite any names.

The video, which was disseminated to members of Malaysian media, among others, depicts two men having sex in what appears to be a hotel room.

Former PKR Santubong Youth Chief Haziq Aziz made a public confession on June 12 that he was one of the men caught on camera.

He alleged that the other man was Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali, who has denied the allegations.

Anwar denies being the mastermind

Haziq has since been arrested, along with five other men, for distributing pornography.

One of the men happens to be an aide of PKR party leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar has been widely tipped to take over from Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

Anwar said that he was surprised his aide, Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, had been arrested.

He also denied being responsible for the creation or circulation of the video.

However, he said that if it turns out that Azmin really was in the video, he should resign.

Azmin, who is also the deputy president of PKR, said in response on July 17 that Anwar should reflect on himself.

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Top image from Azmin Ali's Facebook page.