He said he wanted to hand over a donation to the 15-year-old, who is a singer with a busking group called “Kumpulan Busker DSSK”. DSSK stands for Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He added that he had always encouraged youths to involve themselves in “halal” activities.

“There’s nothing more to it, it’s just that I couldn’t walk,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby when asked why the teenager had gotten into his Toyota Harrier.

The former menteri besar also said he regarded the youth in Perlis as his children and grandchildren.

Yesterday, Perlis police chief Noor Mushar Mohd revealed that Shahidan had asked the teen to meet him in his car to “have a chat”.

He also said the MP and the girl were alone in the car.

According to the girl’s police report, Mushar said, the MP had suddenly touched her hand and shoulders. She brushed his hand away and left the vehicle immediately in tears.

Earlier today, Shahidan revealed that he was the person at the centre of the police investigation into the case. The matter surfaced after the girl lodged a police report, which she subsequently retracted.

Police however say they will investigate the complaint under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 despite the retraction.