KANGAR: The Sessions Court here today granted Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim a discharge not amounting to an acquittal, over the charge of committing physical sexual assault on an underage girl last October.
Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad made the decision in chambers after hearing statements from three witnesses including the victim.
Defence counsel Zamri Ibrahim said the discharge follows the victim's decision to retract her report.
"Based on the complainant's decision not to pursue this case, despite five witnesses including the complainant having testified, this means this case is over and the bail has been returned," Zamri said.
"There is no issue about appealing, there were supposed to have been six more witnesses to be called," Zamri added.
Meanwhile, Shahidan when met refused to comment further on the court's decision.
"I am fasting, I am a Muslim and I go with the decision," he said.
Earlier, the first witness Inspector Norzuki Hussain testified followed by Inspector Nor Fattah Abdullah.
The victim then gave her statement in chambers.
The Arau MP was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which provides for imprisonment up to 20 years and whipping, if found guilty.
