Shahidan Kassim says molest report was just a 'misunderstanding'

KUALA LUMPUR: Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has come forward to say that it was all just a "misunderstanding", after allegations emerged that a Perlis MP had sexually molested a 15-year-old girl.

A police report was made alleging that the victim, 15, was molested by the MP, but the report was then withdrawn by the victim’s family.

Perlis police chief Senior Asst Comm Noor Mushar Mohamed said the suspect, who went to Bukit Aman at close to noon on Tuesday (Oct 30), spent a few hours with investigators.

Reading from a prepared text and accompanied by his lawyer, Thalia Rohaina Abdul Latiff, at the press conference, the former minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the misunderstanding stemmed from a meeting with a group of buskers when he wanted to hand over some financial assistance.

"One of the busker members and their manager wanted to meet me.

"After handing over the assistance, I went back home.

"I treat all of the busker group members just like my own children and family members," he told reporters in Parliament.

Asked about the conversation between him and the girl inside his car, Shahidan said that "it is all in my police report, the police is investigating so I cannot divulge more."

Pressed on whether his driver was there at the time, Shahidan said: "There is a report lodged."

"Let's be fair and let the police investigate. Furthermore, the family has retracted the police report, but you people re-open it," he added.

Asked to explain why there was a misunderstanding to the point that the issue went viral on social media, Shahidan said he himself was asking the same question.

He said media reports emerged only after the police report was withdrawn.

"It happened last week. Why did the story come up now? I don't understand why it became viral and where it came from," he said.- Star