SHAHIDAN SAYS UNAWARE OF ARREST WARRANT AFTER COURT NO-SHOW
Arau MP says he is in Makkah performing ‘umrah’
ARAU member of parliament Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim claimed he is unaware that there is an arrest warrant issued against him, which explained his failure to appear in court yesterday.
“I didn’t know (about the arrest warrant) as I’m in Makkah and appearing before (the house of) Allah.
“It will be up to them (the authorities) if they intend to take action.”
He said he was unaware of the arrest warrant and that was why he failed to appear at the Kangar Sessions Court yesterday.
He said he was disappointed as he was not informed of the matter beforehand, and this had tarnished his name.
“I was in Makkah, end of story. I do not wish to comment on the matter.
“You lot ( journalists) may write whatever is necessary as I am performing the umrah (minor haj),” he said yesterday.
Yesterday, the court issued an arrest warrant against the former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for failing to appear in court to face charges in a molest case involving an underage girl.
The arrest warrant was issued by judge Johari Hassan following an application by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Nordin Ismail.
Shahidan’s lawyer, Syed Muhammad Anwar Syed Lokman Hakim, however, objected to the issuance of the warrant, saying that the counsel and client were not duly informed of the matter.
Based on a post on his Facebook, Shahidan is in the Holy Land performing the umrah.
Recently, news had gone viral that Shahidan had molested a girl who was 15 years and 11 months old.
It was alleged that the girl was from a busker group that he sponsored.
The incident allegedly occurred on Oct 21.
Shahidan, however, denied it and said the report lodged against him had been withdrawn.
The father of the girl had stated that the matter had been amicably resolved and the family deemed that there was no need to blow it out of proportion.