Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has been given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal by the Kangar Sessions Court for the alleged molest of an underaged girl.
The decision to discharge Shahidan was delivered in chambers by Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad after the victim retracted her report.
The court heard the testimony of three witnesses, including the complainant, before coming to a decision.
Shahidan’s lawyer Zamri Ibrahim said since the complainant had withdrawn the case after testifying, the case would now be withdrawn and the bail returned.
“This case is over… There is no issue of appealing, and there was supposed to be six witnesses called in to give statements,” Zamri was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Shahidan has refused to comment on the decision, saying: “I am fasting, I am a Muslim, and I abide by the decision.”
In November, Shahidan was charged with sexual harassment by touching the hands and shoulders of a 15-year-old child in a Toyota Harrier car at the edge of the Tuanku Syed Putra Stadium at Kangar at 11.30pm on October 20 under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
If convicted, he would have faced imprisonment of not more than 10 years and whipping.
The girl is said to be from a buskers’ group that he sponsored.
Shahidan had previously denied the charge and said it was all just a “misunderstanding”. He had also said that the police report lodged against him over the case had been withdrawn.
The father of the girl also reportedly stated that the matter had been amicably “settled” and the family had decided that there was no need to “blow it out of proportion”.
Earlier report: Apr 24, Shahidan’s Sexual Assault Trial: Two Witnesses Called