Senator Azhar Ahmad has strongly denied allegations that he slapped the grandson of the late Islamic scholar and former Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat during a programme at the Institut Latihan Memperkasa Ummah (ILMU) in Janda Baik.
The controversy erupted after a video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting claims that the student had been slapped in public. However, Azhar insisted the footage failed to show the full context of what actually happened.
According to the senator, the incident took place on 20 May after he had completed delivering a lecture during the Empowerment Programme for Student Leaders and Senior Student Affairs Management Officers of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
He said he was introduced to the student after the event and that their interaction was conducted in a friendly and respectful atmosphere.
“I greeted him warmly, shook his hand and merely touched his cheek as a gesture of friendliness. There was no slap or any form of rough treatment as alleged,” he said in a statement.
The issue gained traction after the student lodged a police report at the Kota Bharu District Police Headquarters on Saturday, claiming the incident left him feeling humiliated, embarrassed and emotionally affected as it allegedly occurred in front of other people.
Speaking to Sinar Harian, Azhar, who is also the UMNO Beruas division chief, said he holds the family of the late Nik Aziz in high regard despite their differing political backgrounds.
“I was actually excited when I was told that the student was related to the late Tok Guru Nik Aziz. When I greeted him, I held him and lightly patted his cheek. That is simply my way of interacting with people. It was not a slap,” he explained.
Azhar believes the situation may have been misunderstood after information about the incident was relayed to others without the full context, eventually leading to a different narrative spreading online.
Following the viral claims, he lodged a police report to protect himself and said he is considering legal action against those accused of spreading defamatory allegations.
“I only became aware of the matter after seeing the video circulating on TikTok. I immediately lodged a police report to protect my reputation.
“Criticism is one thing, but this has gone too far and has affected my good name. I will pursue legal action,” he said.
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