JOHOR BARU: The Johor Education Department will assist the police in the investigation involving a seven-year-old boy who was allegedly beaten by his headmaster, says state executive councillor Aznan Tamin.
The Johor education and information committee chairman said several teachers from the school involved had also given their statements to the police to assist in investigations.
"At the same time, the Johor Baru district education office has also channelled information related to the headmaster to the investigating officer.
"This includes his annual performance records and disciplinary records as requested to help complete the investigation process," he said in a statement here on Sunday (March 15).
He added that the police had visited the school, taken photos of the location and recorded statements from witnesses on the same day the incident was reported.
"I would also like to urge the public not to speculate or spread unverified information regarding the incident as investigations are still being carried out by the authorities.
"The dissemination of inaccurate information can not only confuse the public but may also cause unnecessary concern," he said.
He stressed that the state government will not compromise with any party if they are found guilty and will take the necessary action.
On Saturday, Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Radin Ramlan Radin Taha confirmed that the police had received a report about the alleged incident from the child's father at about 9.46am on Tuesday.
“Initial investigations suggest that the incident happened at about 7.39am the same day when the victim was at the school canteen.
“The child was alleged to have been beaten by the suspect, causing him to suffer injuries,” he said.
He said the suspect, a headmaster of a school in Johor Baru, was later arrested at around 4.55pm the same day at the Johor Baru North police headquarters to assist in investigations.
“He was remanded for three days until Friday (to assist in investigations before being released on police bail," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which involves a person responsible for the care of a child abusing, neglecting, abandoning or exposing the child to danger, or acting negligently in a manner that may cause physical or emotional injury to the child.
If convicted, the suspect may be fined up to RM50,000, imprisoned for up to 20 years, or both.
A post about the incident has also gone viral on social media.
It was accompanied by a photo of a child, believed to be the victim, with wounds and blood around his mouth and a swollen face.
The post on the Facebook page known as 'Isu Semasa Online', which was allegedly written by the victim’s aunt, also claimed that the child had been sent to Hospital Sultanah Aminah for treatment.
