PAS Youth has called on UMNO to immediately investigate and take firm action against one of its political figures over allegations that he slapped the grandson of former Kelantan Menteri Besar, the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Its chief, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, said the incident allegedly involved an UMNO leader and took place at a premises owned by the party, making it crucial for the matter to be addressed transparently.
According to Afnan, university students should be treated with respect and should never be subjected to any form of physical mistreatment, regardless of their political affiliations or beliefs.
He also rejected the explanation given by the UMNO leader, who reportedly claimed that he merely touched the student’s cheek as a friendly gesture.
“That explanation simply does not make sense. It is unreasonable for someone meeting another person for the first time to suddenly touch their cheek as a sign of friendliness. A handshake would be normal and acceptable,” Afnan said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
The controversy stems from allegations made by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Student Representative Council president Nik Alif Aiman Abdul Ariffahmi, who claimed the incident occurred during a lecture programme held at an UMNO-owned training institute in Janda Baik, Pahang.
Nik Alif Aiman previously explained in a TikTok video that after the talk ended and participants gathered for photographs, he had a brief conversation with the UMNO leader.
The discussion reportedly turned to politics after the leader was informed that Nik Alif Aiman is the grandson of the late Tok Guru Nik Aziz.
It was during that exchange that Nik Alif Aiman alleged his left cheek was slapped by the politician.
The student has since lodged a police report, claiming the incident left him feeling humiliated and that his dignity had been affected, particularly as it allegedly occurred in front of a crowd during an official university event.
Afnan also urged the UMNO leader to apologise to Nik Alif Aiman and his family as a sign of remorse.
“Nik Alif Aiman has his own dignity and self-respect. He is not an object that can be touched or slapped in public,” he said.
The incident has sparked debate online, with calls mounting for a thorough investigation to establish what transpired during the encounter.
