Published: Saturday August 3, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Saturday August 3, 2013 MYT 7:17:02 AM
Teacher held over molest of student
BY CHRISTINA TAN
BATU PAHAT: A special education teacher has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old disabled girl who he took out to a dancing activity with two other students in his care.
District police chief Asst Comm Din Ahmad said the incident allegedly occurred in May when the teacher took the hearing-impaired girl and the two others for the activity in the neighbouring district of Kluang.
“When the event had ended, the teacher drove the girl and one of her schoolmates to his home in Batu Pahat,” he said. “It was then that the girl claimed that the teacher had touched her inappropriately,” ACP Din added.
“We believe that there are more unreported cases involving the same man,” he said. “We are urging all the victims to step forward.”
The 40-year-old man, said ACP Din, surrendered to the police yesterday, a day after the girl had lodged a police report.
He said the police had recorded the man’s statement, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 354 of the Penal Code for using criminal force with intent to outrage modesty.
“The girl has been sent to the Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital for a medical examination,” he added.
At the hospital, the girl’s mother said she had not suspected that there was anything amiss with her daughter, except that she had been “a bit moody” recently.
“About two weeks ago, I was trying to help her with a mathematics problem. I told her not to panic and talk to teachers should she face any problem with her schoolwork.
“She later told me in sign language that she likes all her teachers, except for one, before breaking down and apologising to me.
“I felt so numb after listening to what she told me,” said the tearful housewife.
The housewife said she had trusted the teacher with her daughter, adding that she believed that the man would protect the children under his care.
“I have to repeatedly tell my daughter to remain clam and not to blame herself,” she said. “Although it is painful for me to relate my daughter’s story to the public, I have to do it because I don’t want other girls to be victimised, too.”
