Malaysia

MPs urge AGC to reconsider prosecution of Penang teachers over caning incident

Ramkarpal warns that prosecuting two SMJK Chung Hwa Confucian teachers for disciplining a student risk setting a troubling legal precedent and could instil fear among educators

Updated 9 months ago · Published on 28 Oct 2025 4:59PM

MPs urge AGC to reconsider prosecution of Penang teachers over caning incident
The alleged incident took place nearly two years before the teachers were charged on 6 October 2025, raising further questions about their intent - October 28, 2025

THE Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has been urged to reconsider the prosecution of two teachers from Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) Chung Hwa Confucian in Penang for caning a male student.

Member of Parliament for Bukit Gelugor, Ramkarpal Singh, said such prosecutions were unprecedented and could set a legal precedent for future disciplinary actions against teachers.

“Prosecuting teachers solely for disciplining a student sends the wrong message and may instil fear among educators in performing their duties,” he said at a press conference at the Parliament Media Centre today, with fellow MPs Lim Guan Eng and RSN Rayer present.

Ramkarpal urged the AGC to review the charges promptly, noting that the case is already scheduled for court management. He added that there were serious doubts about whether the teachers intended to cause harm under Section 324 of the Penal Code, if the caning indeed occurred.

“Furthermore, the alleged incident took place nearly two years before the teachers were charged on 6 October 2025, raising further questions about their intent,” he said.

According to Ramkarpal, discussions with the two teachers last week revealed that no prior complaints or disciplinary cases had been filed against any teachers at the school.

Media reports previously stated that one of the teachers remains in service while the other has since retired. Both were charged with intentionally causing injury to a 15-year-old male student with a cane on 6 December 2023. - October 28, 2025

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