#SHOWBIZ: Afieq Shazwan: It's not me, but 'we' are indeed the same age

New Straits Times

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Singer-actor Afieq Shazwan has found himself embroiled in controversy after his name was linked to a celebrity sexual assault case involving a 17-year-old girl.
Afieq, whose full name is Mohammad Shafieq Shazwan Zamros, 27, said he was inundated with calls and messages from the media and acquaintances keen to know more about the matter.
"Some people said I was that individual, even mentioning the dramas I'd acted in. Plus, I was linked because I'm 27 and have a birth date very close to the individual involved, as we're the same age," he explained.
"But, honestly, I don't know anything about it, and it's certainly not me. It's not that I want to avoid making a statement, but I'm incredibly busy with work.
"I've just returned from Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak, and my weekend schedule is absolutely packed."
He added, "I'm also busy with activities with my mother, cooking and buying kitchen items, as I'm about to perform the haj again. However, I can understand why my name would be mentioned." Afieq told Harian Metro.
According to Afieq, he remained calm and initially declined to comment, concerned about offending anyone and protecting his fellow artistes.
When asked about his surprise at celebrity names being connected to the case, Afieq expressed his shock but refused to dwell on it, not wanting to be slandered.
"I don't want these sexual assault allegations to become slander. It's just that from what I've read in the comments, I understand why people are pointing fingers, perhaps trying to guess," he said.
The 'Lelaki Di Telefon' singer and 'Rampas Cintaku' actor emphasised the importance for all celebrities, as public figures, to uphold their conduct.
"For my fellow artistes, we should all try to conduct ourselves as best as possible for our careers and, at the same time, protect our reputation as youth icons," he said.
"Many people are interested in our work, our songs, our drama series, and to protect that good name, we should look after ourselves.
"We don't want incidents like this (sexual harassment) to occur because we're afraid it will escalate," he said.
Harian Metro previously reported that a well-known male actor and singer was arrested by the police after being accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a hotel in Selangor.
The 17-year-old victim reportedly met the artiste at a café where she worked.
After several meetings, the suspect then took the victim to meet him at a hotel.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Siti Kamsiah Hassan, Principal Assistant Director of the Sexual, Women and Children Division (D11) of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, confirmed the matter.
The case is being investigated under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792).