KUALA LUMPUR – The government’s apparent delay in punishing the teacher who made his Year 5 pupil stand under the hot sun for hours could turn into a racial issue, said the victim’s family spokesperson S. Dayalan.
He told Scoop that police and the Education Ministry have not made any meaningful progress in their investigation since the incident in Ampang on April 30.
He also highlighted a case of a 25-year-old Indian teacher who was charged and sentenced to two months in jail on June 14 for hurting a 4-year-old Malay child in a kindergarten at Pandamaran, Klang on May 13.
“Both cases are about abusing students. In Klang, an Indian teacher punished a Malay boy. In this (Ampang) case, a Malay teacher punished an Indian boy.
“So, we are confused about how the law works. This could be triggered and create a racial conflict.
“We don’t want the government to keep silent on this.
“We don’t want to make it into a racial issue, but the lack of action implies this,” he told reporters after submitting a memorandum to the Human Rights Commission here today, urging the investigation to be expedited.
Dayalan added that the Malay teacher is not teaching at the Ampang school now, but the family is anxious over the lack of updates from the authorities.
“No updates from them (ministry and police). The investigating officer (IO) is ignoring the lawyer’s messages and calls.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, the family’s lawyer Dinesh Muthal said he sent a letter to the IO requesting updates.
“We have the medical reports (of the victim), the evidence, the witnesses – yet no progress on the case. We have sent a letter to the IO (to ask for updates).
“Are they (ministry and police) waiting for things to cool down? The family is struggling and it is unfair to them.”
Earlier, Dinesh told Scoop that the victim’s family will file a suit against the teacher and the headmaster by the end of the month, seeking damages for the 11-year-old boy’s health. – June 21, 2024