Yes, I’m the one: Shahidan

> Ex-minister admits being implicated in probe on molest of underage girl

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim ( pix) has openly admitted that he is the former minister at the centre of a police investigation into a molest case involving a 15year-old girl.

The girl had lodged a police report that he had inappropriately touched her when they were alone in a car. She later withdrew the report.

Shahidan said the incident was “all a big misunderstanding”.

He said he was in Perlis watching a performance by a family of buskers on the day in question, and wanted to give them some money.

He claims he called the entire family over to his car, including the girl, who stood outside his vehicle. After giving them the money, he drove home.

“I was shocked to be informed the next day that a police report was made by the family,” he told a press conference in Parliament yesterday with his lawyer, Thalia Rohaina Abdul Latiff.

Shahidan also denied he had paid the girl’s family to retract the report, saying he had not been aware they had done so until the family informed him.

When asked whether there was a driver in the car or if he had been alone, he said: “I have already given my statement to the police on this matter, let them do their job.”

“I thought the girl was like my own child or grandchild.These buskers are working part-time, I wanted to help them secure more gigs. I said I would help them.”

“I have given my cooperation to the police and hope the media would not prolong the issue because it would damage the reputation of the girl who has a future ahead of her and who must be protected,” he said.

The girl, from Arau in Perlis, stated in her report that she was told by her teacher the former minister had wanted to see her after he saw her perform.

She said she went over to Shahidan’s car, and he invited her to play in Kuala Lumpur and offered her a RM4,000 fee.

She alleged that during the discussion, the former minister held her hand and caressed her shoulder, after which she exited the car and ran away.

Police have said they would investigate the complaint despite the retraction under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.