KOTA KINABALU: Kunak assemblywoman Datuk Norazlinah Arif was allegedly ‘punched’ by a fellow assemblyman during the just concluded state assembly sitting here.
She said she was speaking to another lawmaker, Datuk Flovia Ng of Tulid, when she felt what she believed was a punch on her shoulder, which made her stagger a few steps due to the strength of that punch.
“When I looked back, I saw Sarifuddin Hata (Warisan-Merotai) walking away and when I called out to him, he did not even look back,” she said when contacted.
Norazlinah, who is with Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) said with a positive mindset that she was waiting and calling to see if he turned around to smile or was maybe joking with his actions but then he never did.
“That made me wonder what was going on because that punch, (even if he felt it was not heavy), caused some pain to my shoulder,” she said.
She felt that as former comrades who used to serve in the same political party, such actions were disrespectful and uncalled for, more so because it involved people of different genders.
“I just want to let the people know that such actions are unacceptable and are disrespectful to me as a woman, or anyone for that matter,” Norazlinah said.
She said some people who heard about the incident suggested for her to sue him, and if he was fined RM2,000, he would lose the eligibility to stand as a candidate in the next election.
However, she felt no need to do such a thing because this was not about politics and she has no reason to go for political revenge.
Norazlinah said while she forgave Sarifuddin for his actions after he apologised over the alleged incident via commenting on her post about the matter, she wondered why he did not personally call or text her or her husband for an official apology.
Sarifuddin had replied on her post and said "do not misunderstand, me and YB Datuk Azlinah are friends", and went on to explain that he was rushing to a press conference at that time and so he did not have time to smile at her.
He said that he was sorry and that he was just "tapping" on her shoulder without any intention to hurt or harm her, and that he was just joking and admitted that he might have been a bit rough unintentionally.
PGRS information chief for Kunak, Mohamad Latip Katik said Sarifuddin’s actions were uncalled for and he should apologise to Norazlinah without being asked to do so.
“I am representing the people of Kunak in voicing our disappointment over the actions of Merotai assemblyman, he should come forward and apologise for his actions as it is uncalled for,” he said.
When contacted, Sarifudin Hata declined to comment on the matter.
“No comment,” he said and added that he wanted to focus on real issues instead of dwelling on the controversy.
He said there were more pressing problems involving the rakyat to fix, issues of power abuse, incompetent management problems and corruption that affected the livelihood of the people.
Asked if he had any ill intention when he "fist-bumped" Norazlinah’s shoulder, he said, "Of course not".
He asked that the people watch the viral video of the incident and make their own judgements over the incident.
