#SHOWBIZ: Influencer Asyraf Khalid: 'I'm upset by accusations of being a rapist'

KUALA LUMPUR: Entrepreneur and celebrity Asyraf Khalid, 33, has expressed his disappointment after being personally ‘attacked’ by an influencer. The incident followed a teaser for an upcoming interview on his podcast, Apa Cerita.

“In the teaser, the guest’s identity was revealed. However, after it was uploaded, an influencer published several posts publicly attacking me, claiming the guest was involved in various allegations of violence,” Asyraf said.

He added that this triggered a wave of attacks, including slander, extreme insults, and accusations that he found to be a threat to his dignity.

“I tried to contact him personally to tell him the real situation. At the same time, my team and I decided not to air this episode to diffuse the situation and protect everyone’s feelings,” he said during an emergency press conference with his lawyer Abdul Hakeem Aiman at the Wan Shahrizal, Hari & Co office yesterday.

Asyraf was particularly disappointed because the influencer continued to attack him, which led to netizens joining in the criticism.

“I have also filed a police report at the Pudu Police Station yesterday and am considering taking appropriate action against any individuals involved.

“We used to be friends; we know each other and have worked together. What makes me sad is why he is still attacking me even though I’ve decided not to air the interview?

“He’s even linked me to ‘pedos’ and ‘rapists’, even though I don’t support that. What happened was very emotionally disturbing,” he said.

“People now think I’m a rapist, a ‘pedo’. Some call me a fat kid. They call me Datuk K’s son, and they’ve even started attacking my family.”

According to Asyraf, he is used to facing criticism from netizens, but this time it was the worst he has ever received, forcing him to explain the truth to his partners and sponsors.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hakeem said that they are in the process of filing a defamation lawsuit against the individual involved.

“We believe this is a reasonable matter for Asyraf to explain, but not via social media.

“Following our discussion, a civil action under defamation law will be filed soon. However, we will not comment further on the legal action out of respect for the judicial process,” he said.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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