Warisan rep ready to face action over ‘punch’

KOTA KINABALU: A Parti Warisan assemblyman says he is prepared to face action if it is proven he had ill intent in the “punch” involving a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) representative.

Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hata maintains that he had no malice directed towards Kunak assemblyman Datuk Norazlinah Arif.

Sarifuddin, who has apologised for the incident in a comment on Norazlinah’s social media post, said he is aware she lodged a police report and also consulted a specialist doctor.

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“Let the police investigate and verify… the specialist’s report,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Nov 27).

“If there is any criminal wrongdoing and charges are to be brought in court, I am ready to face judgment.

“I do not want this to drag on. Let the people watch the video themselves and make up their minds.

“I am focused on the interests of the people, including the corruption issue currently under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” Sarifuddin added.

GRS Wanita deputy chief Noraiza Mohammad Noor Mansoor has called for the authorities to take firm action against Sarifuddin following a viral video showing him allegedly punching Norazlinah’s shoulder.

Former Warisan member Norazlinah shared the video of the incident, which took place at the Sabah Legislative Assembly building, on Facebook on Sunday (Nov 24).

“Deliberately punching the shoulder of a woman is shameful, unacceptable, and is not an appropriate way to greet a colleague,” Noraiza said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This is not how we should interact with each other, and such an act diminishes the dignity of a woman, which cannot be forgiven.

“After the incident, Sarifuddin failed to act appropriately if he believed it was just a joke,” she said, adding that stopping to apologise or checking on Norazlinah should have been the proper response.

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Sarifuddin reiterated that it was only a joke between old friends.

“Initially, I wanted to fist bump with her but maybe she didn’t notice when I raised my hand and because I was in a hurry, the fist bump didn’t happen.

“Instead, I tapped her shoulder as a greeting. Whether it was strong or not is subjective,” he added.

Noraiza, who is also the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Wanita chief, was adamant that Sarifuddin face the music for his behaviour towards a woman and “be made to sleep in prison”.

“We will not tolerate violence or disrespect towards women in any form. May this serve as a lesson to all that we will not allow such behavior to go unchecked,” she said.

Norazlinah had said that while she forgave Sarifuddin after he apologised, she nonetheless wondered why he did not call or text her or her husband.

Norazlinah and two other Warisan assemblymen left the party in February last year and joined Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, the anchor party of the GRS coalition, later that month.