Shahidan seeks to be replaced as Select Committee member

PETALING JAYA: Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim's has proposed that he be replaced as a member of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Women and Children's affairs.

The Umno lawmaker said his name was not supposed to be included into the committee in the first place.

"I was not supposed to be part of this committee, I am already part of two other select committees and this will be the third committee; it is too many.

"I want to focus on the Special Select Committee on Defence and Home Affairs'.

"I want to focus on security issues," he told The Star when contacted.

He said another MP was proposed for the committee, but due to technical reasons, the name was not included.

"So, I had to attend the meeting for this Special Select Committee (on Wednesday, Jan 13) because I am the chairman of the Perikatan Nasional Backbenchers Club.

So, I had to represent the party and attend the meeting, he said.

"I personally did not include my name in this committee, I am just standing in on behalf of the replacement (MP suggested)," he added.

Shahidan said he has notified Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Dewan Rakyat secretary on the changes.

Sources told The Star that Umno Parit MP Datuk Nizar Zakaria is among the names suggested to replace Shahidan.

The Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Women and Children's Affairs will be headed by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Earlier, an online portal reported that Shahidan's appointment was criticised by some, as he was previously charged for allegedly molesting an underaged girl.

Shahidan was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal after the victim retracted her report.

Azalina, who is also the Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker, will chair the Special Select Committee together with other lawmakers from both sides of the divide.

"The Special Select Committee for women and children's affairs had met online yesterday (Wednesday, Jan 13).

"I would like to thank all the committee members who elected me as the chairman of the committee," Azalina said in a Twitter posting on Thursday (Jan 14).

Azalina, who is Pengerang MP, had served as the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of law.

Other members in the Special Select Committee include Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan), Che Alias Hamid (PAS-Kemaman), Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Hai Salleh (PAS-Pasir Puteh), Fuziah Salleh (PH-Kuantan), and Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (PH-Lanang).