UMNO MP Accused Of Sexually Molesting A 15-Year-Old Says It's "All A Misunderstanding"
The former Perlis Menteri Besar also claimed that the reason he invited the teenager to his car was because he couldn't walk.
By Sadho Ram — 01 Nov 2018, 07:03 PM
Arau MP Shahidan Kassim has been accused of sexually molesting a 15-year-old girl whom he asked to get in his car to "have a chat"
Perlis police chief Noor Mushar Mohd said that after inviting the underage girl to his Toyota Harrier, the former Perlis menteri besar suddenly touched her upper body parts.
The girl brushed away his hand and immediately left Shahidan's car. The 15-year-old, who is a singer with a busking group, was seen crying while leaving the vehicle.
The girl claimed that during the talk with the UMNO MP, he offered to pay her RM4,000 to play a gig in Kuala Lumpur while holding her hand and caressing her shoulder.
The 15-year-old, who is a singer with a busking group called "Kumpulan Busker DSSK", where DSSK stands for Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, lodged a police report alleging that the MP had molested her. However, her family later withdrew the report.
Shahidan says he invited the girl to his car as he couldn't walk
"There's nothing more to it, it's just that I couldn't walk," FMT quoted the UMNO MP as saying at the Parliament lobby when asked why the teenager had gotten into his car.
Shahidan claims he regards the youth in Perlis as his children and grandchildren and that he always encouraged youths to involve themselves in "halal" activities.
According to Malay Mail, which quoted the Arau MP as saying that he had asked to meet the girl and her entire family in his car as he wanted to help them with a donation.
However, when asked whether he and the girl were alone in his car, Shahidan said that "it is all in my police report, the police are investigating so I cannot divulge more."
While the police report was withdrawn by the victim's family, the Perlis police chief had said that the investigation will be continued
Senior Assistant Commissioner Noor Mushar Mohamed had also said that police is not concerned with any understanding reached between the victim's family and Shahidan.
According to SAC Noor, Shahidan was called to Bukit Aman at about 9am on Tuesday, where he was grilled by investigators till about 4.30pm.
The Bukit Aman Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division recorded the MP's statement under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Meanwhile, the Arau MP tried to brush off the situation saying the molestation allegations against him are "all a misunderstanding"
"I have known the family for a long time, for almost two years, and this alleged incident occurred in a public area," the MP was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.
"I do not want to prolong the matter as I pity the student who has a bright future ahead. So please, let's be fair to the family. The report has been retracted," he added.
Shahidan has also denied paying off the family to have the police report retracted.
Additionally, the MP also expressed his unhappiness at media reports that were published 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.
"I don’t take it to heart as both sides have apologised as I understand that the girl’s family members understand. I have given my full cooperation to the police," Shahidan was quoted as saying by The Star Online today, 1 November.
The UMNO federal lawmaker added that he hopes "the media will not continue to play up the issue as it will damage the dignity of the girl," reported the English daily.