UMNO MP Who Was Accused Of Molesting A 15-Year-Old Walks Free
The girl had informed the court that she did not wish to pursue the case.
By Jia Vern Tham — 24 Apr 2019, 06:23 PM
Arau Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who was accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl last year, was freed of his charges earlier today, 24 April
Malay Mail reported that Shahidan was discharged not amounting to acquittal after the alleged victim dropped molestation charges against him.
The decision was made by Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad at the Kangar Sessions Court earlier today.
"This case is over... There is no issue of appealing, and there were supposed to be six witnesses called in to give statements," Shahidan's lawyer Zamri Ibrahim told Berita Harian.
The teenager had told the court that she did not wish to pursue the case
According to Malaysiakini, the 15-year-old addressed the court in camera during proceedings today.
The judge had also heard two other witnesses before reaching the decision of discharging Shahidan.
Malay Mail reported that the girl's father previously said that the matter had been "settled" and the family had decided to not "blow it out of proportion".
Nonetheless, two witnesses had told the court that the teenager was asked to approach Shahidan's vehicle in October 2018
Adzeleen Junaira Mohd Nasir, who was busking near the Arau MP's vehicle at the time of the incident, had told the court that the teenager spent about two to three minutes in the car before rejoining her family.
"She told her mother she was touched on the shoulder and left hand," Adzeleen said, according to Malaysiakini.
However, Shahidan had always maintained his innocence, claiming that it was just a "misunderstanding" as the police report lodged against him on 21 October 2018 was withdrawn on the same day.