Zahidi apologises for wrongly accusing tree-climbing Youtuber of lying

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin has apologised for wrongly accusing a student in Sabah of trying to garner publicity by sitting on a tree to gain internet connectivity for an online examination.

Taking to Facebook this evening, he said he did not obtain the correct information when he spoke about Veveonah Mosibin at today's Dewan Negara sitting.

"I wish to correct my statement on Veveonah that she did not take her examination on a tree, as shown in a video circulating on social media.

"I had obtained inaccurate information in my additional question. I wish to apologise to her, and I will make a correction in the Dewan Negara next Monday," he said.

Earlier today, Zahidi (above) accused the 18-year-old Youtuber of lying through her social media account.

"Veveonah is a Youtuber and there were no exams. We've checked. She is just a Youtuber who wants to make a name (for herself). She is famous for a moment and she does it just for entertainment," Zahidi told the senate.

"These are acts that we are sometimes deceived by. We shouldn't be so easily fooled by Youtubers causing issues," he said.

"So, we urged the parties to report to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) if there is any blind spot or no (internet) coverage.

"We will immediately resolve the issue, especially when it comes to education," added Zahidi.

When contacted by Malaysiakini earlier, Veveonah (above) denied Zahidi's accusation and furnished proof that she had indeed taken an examination on a tree.

"What was said by the deputy minister was false. Yes, I took the examination as shown in the video," she said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

"I have never met the (deputy) minister and have never been in touch with him," she said.

"I have proof, it's a copy of the examination schedule (below) and my friends also knew about that," she said.

"The video went viral, had been made known to, and was verified by the institution - the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)," she added.

The 18-year-old was offered a scholarship at UMS after her tree-climbing video circulated on social media in June.

Meanwhile, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman criticised Zahidi for making an inappropriate remark.

"If (you) want to help solve an internet access problem, then solve it. Do not belittle the youth and people from rural areas. This is not helping at all," he tweeted.

Veveonah's Youtube video, titled "24 Hours On Tree | Challenge", depicted the lengths she had to go through just to complete her exam as she had no internet connection in her village.

It has garnered more than 732,000 views since it was posted on June 12, as well as attention from international media and various VIPs.

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