Court issues warrant of arrest for Shahidan Kassim

(Bernama) – The Kangar Sessions Court today issued a warrant of arrest for former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim for failing to appear in court to face charges believed to be related to a teenager’s claim that he had molested her.

The arrest warrant, applied for by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Nordin Ismail, was issued by Sessions Court judge Johari Abu Hassan.

Syed Muhamad Anwar Syed Lokman Hakim, representing Shahidan who is MP for Arau, objected to the issuing of the arrest warrant, saying neither he nor his client had been informed of the matter.

“I only got know about this (warrant of arrest) in court. My client is out of the country,” he said.

He added that the defence would file for a revocation of the arrest warrant.

“This is a high-profile case involving a politician. Shahidan is domiciled in Perlis and has not run away,” he said.

According to his Facebook page, Shahidan is currently in Mecca performing the umrah.

The former minister has denied molesting the girl, who was said to be just short of 16 years old. She is reportedly part of a busker group sponsored by him.

The incident is alleged to have happened on Oct 21. However, the police report initially lodged against Shahidan was subsequently withdrawn.

The girl’s father said the matter had been amicably resolved and that the family saw no need to blow it out of proportion.