Wanita MCA Urges Suspension of Headmaster in Student Probe

Wanita MCA has called on the Education Ministry to suspend a Perak headmaster under probe over alleged inappropriate messages to a female Form Three student, as police investigate police reports lodged by both the student’s mother and the headmaster.

The 56-year-old headmaster has been temporarily transferred to the Bagan Datuk District Education Office pending the outcome of an investigation ordered by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, according to Bernama.

Headmaster under probe for messages

Fadhlina directed the Perak Education Department to investigate the matter, Bernama reported.

The case drew attention after a video of the headmaster with the student’s family circulated online. According to Bernama, Perak police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said at a press conference in Ipoh on Tuesday (Oct 27) that police findings showed the student’s family had attacked the headmaster.

Police probe both reports

Bernama reported that the headmaster lodged a police report on Sunday (Oct 25) over the viral video. That case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.

Following a report by the student’s mother, police also opened an investigation under Section 15(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, the news agency said. Free Malaysia Today quoted Alwi as saying the head master allegedly harassed the student through text messages.

Police have recorded statements from nine people so far, including the headmaster, according to Bernama. “We will conduct a detailed investigation into both matters,” Alwi was quoted by FMT as saying.

Transfer not enough, says Wanita MCA

In a statement dated Monday (Oct 26), Wanita MCA national chairperson Senator Wong You Fong questioned the ministry’s decision to transfer the headmaster before the investigation was completed, instead of suspending him.

She said a transfer to another office did not, in itself, prevent further inappropriate contact with students through online messaging or other digital platforms.

Wong urged the ministry to suspend the headmaster from his current duties pending the outcome of the investigation, and to take disciplinary action if the allegations are proven. She said cases involving children must be handled with sensitivity, care and urgency, while ensuring due process is respected.

“Protecting children requires more than administrative transfers,” she said.

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