Alleged sexual assaults by ustaz - student offers to testify

GEORGE TOWN: An 11-year-old boy has offered to testify about sexual assaults allegedly carried out by his religious teacher against several of his classmates.

Balik Pulau OCPD Supt A. Anbalagan said police have remanded the 40-year-old ustaz after several pupils claimed that they were sexually harassed in school.

“An 11-year-old boy who almost became a victim is willing to be a witness,” Supt Anbalagan said.

He said the suspect was arrested at the southwest district education department in Balik Pulau on Monday and remanded for seven days.

“The suspect, who is married with five children, allegedly fondled the private parts of a 10-year-old boy while he was reciting the Quran next to his desk at about 2.30pm on July 18.

“The victim then informed his mother and a police report was lodged at about 10.15am on Saturday,” he said yesterday.

Supt Anbalagan said the 10-year-old boy claimed that the teacher had sexually harassed him and his classmates since April.

“Some of them were forced to perform sexual acts on the teacher during recess and after school.

“The pupils alleged that the incidents happened in class and also at the school’s surau,” he said.

Supt Anbalagan said initial investigations found that the teacher started working at the school in 2014.