GEORGE TOWN: Lim Guan Eng (pic) has expressed empathy for Mohamad Sabu after the Defence Minister's son was picked up by the police for a drug-related offence.

The Finance Minister said it was difficult to be a minister but sometimes, even harder being a parent.

"I extend my support and commend his openness in addressing the matter.

"Everyone is subjected to the same laws, I just want to show my support as a father," he said.

Lim also urged that Mohamad Sabu's family be given space.

"I understand this as my family and children have been targeted before.

"My son was also once accused of groping a schoolmate. That was proven to be fake," he said during a press conference at the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce here on Sunday (Jan 6).

Lim said in this instance, the matter would be best left to the authorities to act in accordance with the law.

Mohamad Sabu had confirmed that his son Ahmad Saiful Islam Mohamad was the one arrested during an anti-vice raid in the city on Saturday (Jan 5) and tested positive for drugs.

“Following this arrest, my family and I have left the matter entirely to the authorities to act in accordance with the process of the law,” Mohamad Sabu said in a statement.

It is learnt that Ahmad Saiful was picked up by a joint team involving the Dang Wangi Narcotics Crime Investigation Department and its Secret Society, Gaming and Vice Division (D7).

The raid was conducted early Saturday along the Jalan Ampang area.

Sources close to the investigations confirmed that he tested positive for marijuana.

He was among the 101 people who were screened during the anti-vice raid.

It is known that he was among two who were detained for testing positive for drugs.

Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Zainuddin Yaakob confirmed that both men were released on police bail around 6pm.