Merotai assemblyman says sorry after colleague lodges report over ‘punch’
KOTA KINABALU: When is a “bump” a punch?
It was a case of “he says, she says” when two former comrades turned rival assemblymen ran into each other at the Sabah state legislative assembly on Wednesday.
Kunak representative Datuk Norazlinah Arif (pic), who was previously with Parti Warisan but is now with Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, claimed she was punched by Warisan’s Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hata when they crossed paths that day.
According to Norazlinah, Sarifuddin walked past her and somewhat “punched” her shoulder, causing her to take a few steps back.
She said that she called after him, thinking he would turn around or say that he was just joking, but he never did.
“That made me wonder what was going on because that punch caused some pain to my shoulder,” she said of their encounter, which happened when she was chatting with another lawmaker that day.
Norazlinah posted a video of the alleged punch on Facebook yesterday.
Sarifuddin replied to her post, saying: “Don’t misunderstand this. YB Datuk Azlinah and I are friends.”
He said that he was sorry and that he was just tapping on her shoulder without any intention to hurt or harm her, and that he was just kidding with her.
“I’m sorry, my friend. My joke might have been rough.
“There was no intention to cause hurt,” he wrote.
“Saya pukul bergurau bahu dia,” he said.
(The brief video showed him tapping her shoulder with a fist.)
He went on to explain that he was rushing to a press conference at that time.
When contacted, he declined to comment further on the matter.
“If you look at the video (of the incident), what are your thoughts?” he said.
On her part, Norazlinah posted on Facebook, a copy of a police report that she lodged.
She said that as former political allies, such actions were disrespectful and uncalled for, more so because it involved people of different genders.
Norazlinah said she had forgiven Sarifuddin after he apologised through her Facebook post, but she wondered why he did not personally call or text her, or contact her husband to convey an official apology.
Kunak PGRS information chief Mohamad Latip Katik said Sarifuddin’s actions were uncalled for.
“I am representing the people of Kunak in voicing our disappointment over the action of the Merotai assemblyman,” he said.
