He said he was only asking about the technical grounds that led to the acquittal of the driver, Sam Ke Ting.

“What I wanted to emphasise was the (sorrow) of the parents who lost their children and also the public’s perception towards the teenagers.

“This issue was played up by those in the government,” he said during a walkabout at the Kukup jetty here in support of the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election, Wee Jeck Seng.

Yesterday, Johor Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Taqiuddin Cheman lodged a police report against Zahid for criticising Sam’s acquittal.

He said Zahid’s remarks could cause tension and affect the integrity of the judiciary.

Zahid accused PH members of taking advantage of his statement to hit out at BN and the opposition.

Saying they had “overkilled” by playing up the issue, he did not think it would affect the voters’ support for BN.

Last month, the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court acquitted Sam after ruling the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie against her for dangerous driving.

Zahid was reported as saying at a ceramah at Kampung Rimba Terjun on Wednesday that the government had “practised double standards” in the matter.

Following his statement, DAP’s Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said Zahid should be charged with contempt of court.