Statement from teacher after ‘second whacking’

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Joachim at Miri Hospital.

Joachim at Miri Hospital.

KUCHING: Police will request for an Order to Investigate (OTI) from the deputy public prosecutor today to investigate a Mathematics teacher from SK Sungai Bain, Long Lama, for allegedly whacking a Primary 6 pupil.

It is alleged that the Friday morning incident was not the first one involving the 12-year-old Joachim Belisan Mandu.

He was said to have been slapped by the same teacher, who is 27 years old, a year ago to the point where his ear bled.

That episode, however, was never reported. State police deputy commissioner Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung, when contacted yesterday, said the latest case was being investigated by Marudi District police under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.

“Since the case involves a public servant, I have directed Marudi District police to expedite investigation,” assured Chai.

Marudi acting police chief ASP Jaimi Husain, when contacted, said the teacher had been asked to have his statement recorded yesterday.

In yesterday’s headlines, thesundaypost reported that Joachim was abused to the point where he almost passed out due to shortness of breath.

The victim’s brother John Randi Mandu lodged a report at the Beluru police station in Bakong on Friday, claiming that Joachim was kicked in the ribs, slapped on the face and hit on the neck with a ruler for not doing his homework.

According to him, school authorities brought the 12-year-old to the Long Lama Clinic for emergency treatment around 9am. He claimed that Joachim suffered pain on his back and face and there were also bruises on the left side of his neck.

John said when Joachim’s condition worsened, the boy was taken by ambulance to Miri Hospital, and he arrived there at about 2pm. He was x-rayed and later admitted for further observation.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Dayak Association (Pedas) secretary, Bill Kayong, lodged a police report at Miri Central police station yesterday against the Kedah-born teacher. Bill said Pedas wanted the case to be pursued seriously.

Bill said based on what he learnt when visiting Joachim on Saturday, this was not the first time the teacher had acted harshly against him. Last year, the same teacher had slapped him so hard that his ear bled.

“The teacher has been teaching in the school for more than four years, and he is known to be very hot tempered.

“Last year’s case was, however, not reported. When Joachim revealed the incident from his hospital bed, the teacher was also there, and he did not deny it.”

Bill said he was told that Joachim did not have any broken ribs, but he remained in pain due to swollen ribs and an injured shoulder.

Attempt to verify Joachim’s health condition with the Health Department was futile as its director, Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan, said “patient’s report is confidential, and their report is only for the police and lawyers”.

In an immediate reaction, Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said the Education Department was still investigating the case, and if found guilty, disciplinary action would be taken against the teacher.

“Follow up investigations will continue on Monday (today). The district education officer will handle this investigation, with assistance from the headmaster and senior assistants,” said Fatimah, who is the minister-in-charge of education in the state.