DEWAN Negara Speaker Rais Yatim has summoned Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin to explain his statement on Veveonah Mosibin to the House and issue an apology.

“After scrutinising the situation, we have to first agree that he comes to this House to provide an explanation and apologise to the relevant party,” Rais said.

“If he refuses to do so, then maybe we can proceed with referring him to the Rights and Privileges Committee next week,” he added.

Senator Alan Ling Sie Kiong tabled a motion to refer the deputy minister to the committee.

Zahidi was not present at the Dewan Negara today.

Zahidi had last week said the Sabahan student, who had spent a night in a tree to get internet access for an online exam, was lying about the exam and was only seeking attention.

Ling, meanwhile, told the House that the deputy minister had misled the senate with his false statement.

The DAP senator requested the motion be passed as Zahidi has yet to issue an apology despite pledging to do so.

Speaking to reporters later, Ling said it has been a week since Zahidi made his wrongful claims against Veveonah, but has yet to apologise.

“To defend the image and dignity of the Senate, we would like to refer him to the Rights and Privileges Committee to be investigated so that this can serve as a lesson,” said Ling.

Senators Ismail Yusop, Suresh Singh and Liew Chin Tong, who were present at the press conference, agreed that Zahidi should make the apology within seven days.

“Certain individuals are claiming that DAP deliberately politicised this issue but this matter is not just politics; this matter is about education and internet access.

“We should look at the issue instead of blaming each other,” said Suresh. – September 10, 2020.