KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Umno’s Paya Rumput assemblyman Datuk Rais Yasin has dismissed claims spreading on social media that he was engaged in an “obscene” phone conversation with a woman.

The Melaka state executive councillor in charge of housing and local government, climate change and disaster management said the sex scandal allegations were made to tarnish his political career, The Star reported today.

“This is a form of defamation designed to ruin my political career. It first surfaced during the Umno divisional election.

“This kind of accusation is unbecoming. I was taken aback to see the viral post and screenshots,” Rais was quoted as telling reporters during a working visit in Bachang, Melaka yesterday.

He added that the allegations against him were an attempt by his political foes to shame him and that he would consider taking action against those who made the defamatory statements.

Rais, who is also the Melaka Umno deputy chairman, said he will cooperate with the authorities if investigations were initiated.

He also stressed that his main priority now is to work closely with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to bring more progress to the state without being distracted by such issues.

Last Tuesday, Ab Rauf had dismissed a social media post on the scandal and said that such an accusation could be a deliberate move to undermine his state government.

He also said that it was possible the video was doctored and did not discount the possibility that the post circulated by political foes.

A video clip with accompanying WhatsApp messages that purportedly showed an exco member engaging in an “obscene” phone conversation with a woman made headlines this week after it was reported to have circulated from April 25.

A non-governmental organisation called Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia’s Melaka chapter was reported to have filed a complaint with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the issue yesterday, calling for an investigation into the video clip.

Melaka MACC director Mohd Shahril Che Saad confirmed receiving the report.