Zahidi says Kudat MP told him Veveonah did not have exams on day she uploaded video

PETALING JAYA: Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin says Kudat MP Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri had informed him that Veveonah Mosibin did not have any examinations on the day she uploaded a video to YouTube.

Zahidi had earlier come under fire for claiming that the Sabahan teen had pretended to be taking a university exam on a treetop to popularise her YouTube channel.

"Abdul Rahim, who is also the Deputy Finance Minister, told me there were no examinations on that day and that he had received the information from a professor," Zahidi said in a video clip of a press conference outside the Dewan Negara Monday (Sept 7) that was posted on social media.

At press time, The Star is still trying to contact Abdul Rahim to confirm Zahidi's claims.

Several politicians and public interest groups had criticised Zahidi for implying that Veveonah had lied.

In June, Veveonah, a student at a public higher education institution, posted a video showing how she had to climb a tree to gain internet access to sit for an online examination. The video had gone viral on social media.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah had claimed that Zahidi's remarks against undergraduate Veveonah were a mistake, and that he would rectify it.

Saifuddin had said that the Jendela Digital Negara (Jendela) Plan would be implemented to improve internet coverage nationwide, especially in the rural areas including in Sabah.