KOTA KINABALU – After 130 days, the federal government has yet to file its defence following a summons filed by three former students of a secondary school in Kota Belud against a teacher, principal, and the Education Ministry.
The students, Rusiah Sabdarin, Nur Natasha Allisya Hamali, and Calvina Angayung, who are from SMK Taun Gusi in Kota Belud, filed their summons in the high court on December 22, 2020
They had named English teacher Mohd Jainal Jamran (transferred in 2020), the school principal Suid Hanapi (former SMK Taun Gusi school principal, retired in 2020), the education director-general, the Education Ministry, and the federal government as defendants.
They had accused Jainal for being absent for seven months, denying them their rights to an education.
“Today, more than 130 days later, the defendants have yet to file their defence at the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.
The defendants are represented by the Attorney-General’s Chambers. After a writ of summons has been issued against the defendants and they have entered their appearance, they have 14 days to file their defence.
“The High Court of Sabah and Sarawak’s portal previously reported the defendants’ defence as fixed on June 4,” a statement said, believed to be released by the counsel of the three students.
It said Rusiah, Natasha, and Calvina are confident to proceed to a full public trial against these defendants and exercise their guaranteed rights under the federal constitution.
“Their litigation is the second of such summons after a Siti Nafirah Siman, who is also from the same school, also filed a similar summons against the same teacher in 2018,” it said. – The Vibes, May 5, 2021
