PETALING JAYA – Following the announcement of his appointment to the women, children and social development affairs special select committee, Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said he wants out.
He told The Star that he is not supposed to be included in the committee.
“I was not supposed to be part of this committee, I am already part of two other select committees and this will be the third committee; it is too many.
“I want to focus on the special select committee on Defence and Home Affairs,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that another MP was supposed to take his place but was not included due to “technical reasons”.
“So, I had to attend the meeting for this special select committee yesterday because I am chairman of the Perikatan Nasional Backbenchers Club.
“I personally did not include my name in this committee; I am just standing in on behalf of the replacement (MP suggested),” he told The Star.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Dewan Rakyat secretary have been notified, he added.
Other committee members 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).
Earlier, Shahidan’s appointment drew backlash after chairman Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said announced the members of the committee.
He was slammed by opposition MPs and several rights groups.
On October 20, 2018, 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.
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The victim had lodged a report, which was later withdrawn, with her father stating that the matter was “resolved amicably”. – The Vibes, January 14, 2021
