[UPDATED] Previously charged with molesting minor, Shahidan now sits on women, children committee

GEORGE TOWN – Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has been appointed to the parliamentary select committee for women, children and social development affairs, courting public criticism.

Shahidan, who is also former Perlis menteri besar, was discharged not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) in 2019 after being charged with molesting a minor. The victim had dropped her complaint.

He now sits on the committee chaired by Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

The committee has seven members. Others are Kota Samarahan Rubiah Wang (GPS), Kemaman MP Che Alias Hamid (PAS), Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PAS), Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh (PKR) and Lanang MP Alice Lau (DAP). 

However, former women, family and community development minister and Pandan MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her former deputy, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, are not on the committee.

In response, Lau tweeted that Shahidan and Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing were the “two of seven house committee members who rejected the special select committee”.

“I fought very hard for the formation of this SSC. Arau & Bintulu were the 2 out of 7 house committee members who rejected it! He rejected the SSC & now he’s in SSC!”

Meanwhile, Yeoh congratulated Azalina on Twitter for her appointment, but highlighted the unequal representation in parliamentary select committees.

“In Parliament, I have also raised the issue of unequal representation in select committees. It should reflect the actual composition of opposition i.e. if we have close to 50% MPs, we should have at least 3 to 4 opposition MPs in these committees and not just 2!”

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto also responded by congratulating Azalina, but expressed shock that Shahidan is on the committee.

“Remember, Shahidan was once smeared with a molestation case involving an underage girl.”

All Women’s Action Society (Awam) has slammed Shahidan’s appointment to the committee.

Speaking to The Vibes, its programme and operations manager, Nisha Sabanayagam, pointed to the lawmaker’s past allegation of molesting a teenage girl as the main factor for organisation’s objection.

“The MP was never acquitted, and the case was withdrawn by the family.”

She also questioned the credibility of the committee, now that Shahidan is a member.

“It certainly defeats the purpose of a select committee to have such a person as a member, and it also undermines the credibility of the committee.”

Society for Equality, Respect and Trust for All founder Sabrina Melisa Aripen today questioned Shahidan’s credentials that allow him to be worthy of his appointment.

“Women and girls face many pressing issues, especially in the time of a pandemic, which could be solved only with advices from experts, yet we put in a man who is not only proven to be inept, but also has a record in molesting girls. What could he possibly bring to the table?

“It brings to light how poorly we view women, that we just settle with just anyone to be in a committee that was formed to handle their concerns. Are we that much lacking in expertise?”

Sabrina said Azalina should take some time to study problems faced by women and girls, and take her job seriously by engaging only the right people.

“Bringing Shahidan into the committee only reflects how lightly she views the issues involving women and girls. She is also perhaps not the right person to lead the committee.”

Aripen also questioned Azalina’s appointment as committee chairman, saying the prime minister must lack pertinent knowledge about the dire issues women and girls are facing.

Shahidan was accused of touching the hands and shoulders of a 15-year-old girl in a car at the edge of the Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium in Kangar, Perlis, at 11.30pm on October 20, 2018.

He was charged in November 2018 under Section 14(a) of Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017, which covers physical sexual assault on a child by touching any part of the child’s body.

If convicted, he would have faced a jail sentence of not more than 10 years and whipping.

The victim had lodged a report, which was later withdrawn, with her father stating that the matter was “resolved amicably”.

Kangar Sessions Court issued an arrest warrant on November 9, 2018 against Shahidan for failing to be present in court to face charges. He later took to Facebook to say he did not run away, but was instead in Mecca to perform the umrah.

On November 12, Shahidan pleaded not guilty.

On January 8, 2019, Shahidan again did not show up in court, saying he was receiving treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

On April 24, the court granted Shahidan a DNAA. The sessions court judge made the decision after being informed that the prosecution no longer wanted to proceed with the case as the complainant did not want to be questioned.

The prosecution then informed the court that they would not call the next witness, and asked that Shahidan be given a DNAA under Section 254 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

On the court’s decision, Shahidan said: “I am fasting, I am a Muslim.” – The Vibes, January 14, 2021