KANGAR: Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has presented himself to the Sessions Court here on Monday morning (Nov 12) to face charges related to a molest case involving an underage girl.
The former Perlis Umno chief was seen arriving at 8.20am, using a walking stick, clad in a dark blazer and heavily-tinted sunglasses, accompanied by his wife and two unidentified women.
Some 50 supporters greeted him upon arrival. Inside the courtroom, other supporters also greeted him as he took his seat.
He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (physical sexual assault on a child by touching any part of the child’s body).
The incident was alleged to have occurred at the open space of Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium in Kangar at about 11.30pm on Oct 20.
He was granted permission to say a few words after the charge was read to him.
Shahidan then referred to the arrest warrant that had been issued against him on Friday (Nov 9).
“The arrest warrant was issued without any notice to me. Alhamdullilah (thanks to God), it has now been cancelled.
“Saya mendoakan agar keadilan dan kebenaran dapat ditegakkan (I pray that justice and truth can be upheld).”
Shahidan was allowed bail of RM25,000 with two sureties. He has also been allowed to keep his passport. The case is up for mention again on Jan 8.
The former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department has been in the news this month after a report went viral, alleging that he had molested a girl aged 15 years and 11 months.
The girl is said to be from a buskers group that he sponsored.
Shahidan, however, denied it and said it was all just a “misunderstanding”. He had also said that the police report lodged against him over the case had been withdrawn.
The father of the girl also reportedly stated that the matter had been amicably “settled” and the family had decided that there was no need to “blow it out of proportion”.
However, police said investigations must go on and any understanding reached between the victim’s family and the politician was not related to the police.
Shahidan went to Bukit Aman national police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Oct 30) and was grilled by investigators from 9am till about 4.30pm.
His statement was recorded by the Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division.
THE STAR
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