DEPUTY Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin today apologised for his statements against Sabahan student Veveonah Mosibin in the Dewan Negara last week.

He said his ministry is working towards resolving rural Sabah’s lack of internet access.

“I would like to apologise to the House for sparking confusion over the issue of adik Veveonah Mosibin.

“I am also sorry for the response of the area’s MP, which has sparked the dissatisfaction of certain quarters,” he said in the Dewan Negara today.

Zahidi issued the apology before commencing his ministerial speech on the royal address.

Dewan Negara Speaker Rais Yatim had earlier requested the Padang Besar MP be present at the Senate to clarify the matter and issue an apology.

He added that his statement on internet issues in Pitas could have been misconstrued.

“As a whole, what was expressed by adik Veveonah reflects the shortcomings in Kg Sipatalang, which needs attention from the government,” Zahidi said.

“As a father, I feel it is very dangerous to (climb and) sit on a tree at night for internet coverage. We would advise our children against doing so out of fear that they might get injured,” he added.

He said Veveonah should be praised for her exemplary action in bringing internet weaknesses in the area to light.

“I take full responsibility and the government has agreed that this is an issue of internet coverage, which has to be given attention and resolved as soon as possible.”

He said internet coverage has been improved in Veveonah’s village and the area in which the incident had taken place. 

He added that the remote location of the village served as a challenge for maintaining fibre cables.

Meanwhile, Rais said the House has accepted his “sincere” apology, and thus, there was no need to refer Zahidi to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

Senator Alan Ling Sie Kiong, who had moved the motion to refer Zahidi to the committee earlier today, welcomed his apology and said he appreciated the move.

He added there was nothing personal against the deputy minister and the move was made to defend the honour and integrity of the Senate.

“I hope this matter will not be repeated. Although there was a seven-day delay (in issuing the apology), the deputy minister made the decision to come forward to apologise for the false statement, as per the orders of the speaker,” he said. – September 10, 2020.