KUALA LUMPUR: The hosts for popular dance reality program Sehati Berdansa, actor and actress Awal Ashaari and Scha Alyahya, came clean tonight in a tell-all that was aimed at clearing the air.

Both were among several artistes said to have been involved when the police raided an unlicensed entertainment outlet on Christmas eve.

Awal was also supposedly detained after refusing to undergo a urine test in the raid at 3.15am on Friday morning which also witnessed several other recognisable faces of the entertainment community involved.

Speaking after the finale of the show last night, Scha began by admitting that she had indeed been among those who had been screened by the police for drug tests on patrons.

“I received a call from a friend to join her after I finished shooting the TV series Awan Dania, which ended at about 1am to 1.30am.

“My friend, Stephanie from Melbourne, was in town with her family and had planned a birthday party in the outlet next to the nightspot in question,” said Scha.

“Since I arrived there late, and the venue I intended to go to was closed, I went into the outlet next door. It was then that the raid was carried out. I had been there for less than half an hour when it happened.”

Scha said that it was simply a case of her being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Still, I did the test and it was negative, proving I had not taken any drugs.” Scha denied allegations she had been drunk.

“I don’t drink, and lately I’ve been going through so many problems and I haven’t been healthy.”

Saying she had been on antibiotics as she was facing a bout of viral fever on that night, Scha was tearful as she said the allegations of her socialising and being drunk were too much to bear.

“I know I am a celebrity and I accept that my private life is of public interest. However, it is too much to say I was ‘socialising’. I was there to fulfill an invitation from a friend. On top of that, not only I don’t drink but I was also on medication that night, which means I can’t drink.”

For Awal, it was not only a case of explaining what happened that night – which included claims he had refused a urine test, but also clearing the air over supposed denials he had been claimed to issue.

“I did not issue any information or statement since that day, not to any press member or blogger.”

He said he had received an invitation from Scha to join her that night.

“I arrived there earlier because she said she had several scenes more to do. As I reached there early, I decided to hang out with some friends I bumped into.

“I only realized the police were conducting an operation when the music went off and lights came on.”

Explaining that he had ‘answered the call of nature’ prior to the raid, Awal said he could not ‘produce’ the sample required by police.

“The scenario was crazy with the media and the police and so many people all over the place.

“With the delay in me providing the sample, the police then suggested I follow them to the police headquarters to avoid the circus that was the scene at the disco, especially when people realised my presence.”

Upon drinking two or three bottles of mineral bottle, Awal said he finally managed to hand police a urine sample.

“The media can have my story verified by Kuala Lumpur Narcotics CID deputy chief Supt Sharifah Hawariah Syed Idrus.

“She apologized to me for the need to bring me to the headquarters and even offered her office for me to sleep in as the media was still camped outside. I only left at about 11.30am.”

He explained earlier denials from his manager, Azlina Merican on his involvement in the event, was the result of a misunderstanding and not a lie intended to cover the events that transpired.

“Lina was denying that I had been caught in a narcotics raid, and not denying my presence there.

“There was another TV presenter who was there and was tested positive. And a lot of people thought it was me. I hate drugs and was not involved.”

He said he was also not under the influence of alcohol.

“I spoke to Supt Sharifah for about three hours, and she can vouch that I was in no manner intoxicated by drink, or anything else.

“Since she is on leave at the moment, I will try to obtain an official statement from the police to clear my name in the next few days.”

Both Scha and Awal said they regretted the incident, and apologised to their fans.

“Both of us had rehearsals the next day and we weren’t there to party,” said Awal. Scha added: “The negative impact has been undeniable, and I regret all that has happened.”

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