PAHANG DAP chief Lee Chin Chen stressed that schools should not carry out any form of excessive punishments on students regardless of the offence.
"I absolutely cannot tolerate excessive and serious physical punishment. Excessive corporal punishment is also school violence. Such a thing should never happen in schools," he said in a Facebook post.
His remarks follow an incident where a mother highlighted the excessive punishment inflicted on her child - all for simply wearing the wrong school uniform.
According to the post by Cheryl Kam, the punishment was meted out by a teacher from a SMJK in Bentong.
To make matters worse, she claimed that her child was caned in front of the entire school and was left with large bruises and swellings.
"My child only used the wrong uniform, he did not commit a serious crime," she cried.
Based on photographs she shared; the child seems to have suffered forceful caning and is also now unable to sit or lie comfortably.
Netizens have since expressed shock over the incident and have questioned the need for such severe punishment.
According to Lee who is also the Pahang legislative assembly deputy speaker, he visited the student at home and the mother informed him that she had lodged a police report.
"The child was taken to hospital last night. I have also contacted the state education director and sent officials to the school to investigate.
"The department will meet with the parents and school next Monday," he said, adding that he would leave it to them whether they want to settle the matter among themselves. - May 16, 2025
