MELAKA: A male primary school English teacher in Alor Gajah here has been arrested for allegedly hitting his pupil during class.
The suspect, 44, had allegedly hit a 10-year-old female pupil with a book and violently pulled her hair, causing the victim to be referred to Melaka Hospital’s Psychiatric Department a few days ago.
The incident came to light when the victim told her 34-year-old mother that she did not want to go to school on March 14 because she was afraid of being mistreated by the teacher.
The housewife then lodged a police report on Tuesday (March 18).
Following the report, police detained the suspect when he came to the Melaka police headquarters in Bukit Beruang here to have his statement recorded on Wednesday (March 19).
Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar confirmed the arrest of the teacher.
"The cause and date of the incident are still under police investigation, as the victim remains traumatised," he said when contacted on Thursday.
He added that the report is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for ill-treatment, neglect, abandonment, or exposing a child to danger.
If convicted, the offence could lead to a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.
