Kota Kinabalu: A routine school day turned traumatic for an 11-year-old when he was allegedly slapped by his ustaz during a lesson at a school in Inanam, leaving him with a swollen face, a nosebleed and a loose tooth.
The victim’s father, a 52-year-old trader, described the incident as something he could “never forgive.” His wife, 44, is a housewife.
“My wife first received a message from the ustaz around 1.15pm admitting that he had slapped our son.
“In the text, the ustaz said it happened because my son was joking with a friend during class. I couldn’t believe it, over something so small. My son was slapped until his face was swollen and his nose bled,” the father said.
The parents rushed to the school immediately.
“When we arrived, we saw our son sitting in the teachers’ room holding a pack of ice to his cheek. His eyes were red, his face was swollen and there were clear finger marks.
“His school uniform had bloodstains. As a parent, my heart sank seeing him in that condition,” he said.
The father added that his son broke down and ran into their arms.
“He told us the slap was so strong that he fell backwards and hit the corner of a desk. No child deserves this, especially not from a teacher entrusted to guide them,” he said.
The father stressed that the ustaz’s apology could not undo the damage.
“He admitted what he did and said sorry, but this is beyond an apology.
“My son is only 11 and his body cannot withstand such force. This is not the action of an educator, it is a breach of trust,” he said.
The father also rejected suggestions for the matter to be resolved internally.
“Some people asked us to settle this quietly at the school level, but how can I? If we let this pass, what message are we sending? That teachers can assault children and get away with it? No. This has to go through proper legal channels,” he said.
“The incident already affected my son emotionally. Before this, he was cheerful and talkative. Now he is quiet, withdrawn and looks afraid. This trauma will not heal easily. That is why I am determined to fight for justice, no matter how long it takes,” he said.
The father also drew from past experience, revealing that his elder son had once been a victim of bullying at another school in Kota Belud, which ended up in court.
“That time, the perpetrator was punished. I know the process, and I will go through it again to make sure this ustaz is held accountable,” he said.
Cases of bullying and excessive punishment in schools are not new in Sabah and across Malaysia. In recent years, several incidents have gone viral online, sparking public anger and prompting authorities to tighten guidelines on discipline.
Child rights advocates have repeatedly stressed that educators must adopt corrective methods without resorting to violence, as physical punishment can leave lasting scars on both the body and mind of young students.
This latest case has also ignited online debate. The father’s social media post detailing the incident drew strong reactions, with 112 comments and 236 shares within hours, reflecting widespread anger from parents and netizens alike.
When contacted, the ustaz admitted that he was at fault but expressed concern over the viral reaction.
“I know the incident has gone viral and the headmaster as well as the school administrators are aware. I admit it was my mistake, but the viral post has caused me to receive threats. I no longer feel safe here,” he said.
The ustaz confirmed that he had lodged a separate police report for his own safety.
“We had a meeting with the investigating officer and the family at the school. The parents were firm about taking action against me, and I accept that because it was my mistake.
“But I feel the issue should not have been made viral. We already discussed it internally, and I personally apologised to the parents,” he added.
Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief ACP Kasim Muda, when contacted, confirmed receiving the report.
“The case is still under investigation. We are now waiting for the outcome, and if there is sufficient evidence, we will submit it to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for charges,” he said.
Daily Express also reached out to the Sabah Education Department Director for comment, but no response was received at the time of writing.
