Whistleblower claims death threat over ‘truant teacher’ complaint

 

A teacher who reported his colleague’s alleged absence from work for seven months claims to have received a death threat as a result.

The teacher, Ibrahim Jadoon, told the High Court in Kota Kinabalu today that the English-language teacher Jainal Jamran uttered the threat during a meeting held at the Kota Belud District Education Office to discuss Jainal’s alleged truancy.

“I heard some words that I had trouble understanding, so I asked a student if he could help me understand.

“What he said was, ‘Sir, that is not Bahasa Malaysia but Bajau - Jogo kam, pepatai ku kam’.

“I have been told in Bajau, ‘Watch out, I’m going to kill you both’,” he said, in response to a question from the plaintiff’s lawyer Shireen Sikayun.

According to Ibrahim, Jainal made the alleged threat after he questioned his failure to turn up to SMK Taun Gusi in Kota Belud to teach, during the meeting chaired by the district education officer Abdul Bakhrin Yusof.

Jainal allegedly refused to answer the question and instead threatened him.

Ibrahim did not explain who the other person Jainal’s alleged threat was directed against but is likely referring to another teacher Norhaizah Ejab.

Norhaizah had also reported Jainal’s absence to the school’s principal, and according to Ibrahim, was seated next to Jainal when he made the threat.

Fearing for his safety, Ibrahim said he had lodged a police report about the death threat.

No action against truant teacher

Meanwhile, Ibrahim testified that Abdul Bakhrin had said that the Education Ministry has given two weeks to resolve Jainal’s absence, and all parties should look to the future and let past transgressions be bygones.

However, the district education office did not act against Jainal, which led him to escalate the matter to Sabah state education officer Muarifin Sufianto Mohchoeri.

Ibrahim said Muarifin told him, among others, that he had already done his part and would work to resolve the issue.

The lawsuit is brought by Jainal’s former student Siti Nafirah Siman who is represented by the lawyer Shireen. Senior federal counsel Jesseca Daimis represented Jainal.

The proceedings before High Court judge Ismail Brahim continue on Monday. - Mkini