PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Three more suspects, including an aide of a high-ranking Pakatan Harapan leader, have been arrested in Malaysia in relation to a viral sex video implicating a minister.

The three, aged between 29 and 37, were picked up by the police in Johor on Tuesday (July 16).

When contacted, national crime investigation chief Huzir Mohamed confirmed the new arrests.

On Sunday, six people were arrested by the police as part of ongoing investigations into the sex video scandal.

Among the six arrested was Haziq Aziz, who had confessed to being one of the two men performing sexual acts in the video, and had claimed the other man was Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali.

Datuk Seri Azmin has denied this claim and said it was a plot to destroy his political career.

The six suspects were detained for investigations into offences relating to unnatural sex relations under the Penal Code, and the improper use of network facilities under the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Earlier on Tuesday, police said they have widened their investigation in connection with the video, including into the possible involvement of a state assemblyman.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid said the police were investigating the possibility that those arrested were linked to the state assemblyman, along with other angles.

"We will explore all angles, including the mastermind behind the recording and spread of the video," he told a press conference in the town of Semenyih in Selangor state.

Mr Abdul Hamid said action will be taken against those identified as being involved in the case. "Whether there will be more arrests will depend on the course of the investigation," he added.

He had said last Saturday that the police were closing in on an "alliance" that spread the clips anonymously via WhatsApp to PKR members and journalists.

He also said the police were taking their time to thoroughly investigate the case to ensure that justice was served and no innocent person was punished.

"This is a complicated case as it involves elected representatives and politicians, so allow us time to properly investigate it," he added.

Meanwhile, the police have also received a report from CyberSecurity Malaysia, the agency tasked with providing digital forensics expertise to analyse the videos.

National criminal investigation chief Huzir Mohamed said the police had received the report on the identity of the two men in the videos, but did not provide details.