Alleged groomed student’s family to meet Education Ministry

 

The family of a student who was allegedly groomed into a relationship with his teacher will meet the Education Ministry tomorrow.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, a family representative said an officer from the ministry had contacted them regarding the case.

“They (the ministry) have called us, and this Monday we will head to Putrajaya to file a case,” they said.

Yesterday, Sepang district police chief Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof confirmed police were investigating the case after a relative of the victim made a series of online postings, sharing details of the alleged grooming by the teacher.

The case is being investigated under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.

Section 14 covers “physical sexual assault on a child” and is punishable with a jail term not exceeding 20 years and whipping.

In the posting, the student’s family is in distress as they are afraid that this “relationship” will affect the teenager's future, who will be sitting for his SPM this year.

It was also alleged that the teacher was married and that she had five children.

Making the issue viral

The representative defended the act of a relative posting the matter on social media, saying it was needed to get the ministry’s attention.

They said this was because the teacher kept contacting the victim despite multiple reports being lodged.

“We have lodged three police reports, a report to the state education department, and another to the Public Complaint Management System (Sispa), yet the teacher kept on contacting (the victim).

“After the teacher was transferred, she still insisted on taking a 40-minute drive to meet the victim,” they added.

They added the posting had been deleted after receiving advice from the ministry, police, and the family’s legal representative.

“There were comments on Facebook and Instagram telling the family not to make things viral and settle the matter ‘professionally’. (Reading the comments) made them feel frustrated and sad,” they said.

The representative also confirmed that the case took place in Selangor but could not reveal the school where the accused teacher and the victim are from.

“The victim is doing okay, he understands the situation and has accepted everyone’s advice,” they added.

Red marks on neck

In a statement issued today, Wan Kamarul confirmed a report was lodged on Dec 12 last year by the victim’s mother after her son came back home with red marks on his neck.

Based on investigations, he said the victim, who was 16 years old at the time, alleged the marks were after he was kissed and hugged by the mathematics teacher.

He said the victim was allegedly studying with the teacher in a library when the incident occurred.

“Our investigation revealed that the incident occurred around 4.50pm on the same day the report was lodged.

“The suspect is a 37-year-old female teacher and the victim was brought to the hospital for a checkup,” Wan Kamarul added.

He also confirmed the online posting made regarding the case was true and that the police are completing the investigation paper before referring it to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for the next course of action. - Mkini