[UPDATED] Ain Husniza called ‘anak setan’ purportedly by principal, faces expulsion

KUALA LUMPUR – Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam, who made public her teacher’s alleged trivialisation of rape, has been warned by her school that she faces expulsion if she continues to skip class.

The 17-year-old has been absent since her revelation over two weeks ago for fear of her own safety, after she received a rape threat from a schoolmate.

Her father, Saiful Nizam Abdul Wahab, told The Vibes today that Ain Husniza was given a warning letter for not attending school for three days, from April 26 to 28.

“The letter was received on May 4,” he said.

In a series of tweets just past midnight, the student-activist said she was told that she could be expelled if she keeps skipping class.

Ain Husniza said just before the letter was issued, her father had met the principal on the same day and was assured that the school would have her back.

“However, they went ahead and did this (warning) the same day.”

The teenager said she is beyond heartbroken by the school’s decision when she was just trying to do the right thing.

“Teachers, didn’t you yourself teach us higher-order thinking skills, to have our opinions and thoughts? I was just doing what you taught me. Why am I being punished for it?

“The teacher (who allegedly made rape jokes) and the boy who made the rape threat didn’t even (face) any action, but I’m getting expelled. This would ruin my life.

How many lives have you ruined, educators? From the stories you tried to sweep under the rug. From the students you tried to silence. From the paedophiles you tried to protect. From the corrupt system you tried to enforce,” tweeted Ain Husniza.

She bemoaned the fact that students who speak up against schools and teachers are often silenced and punished.

She said she has received many messages from other students who faced expulsion after calling out teachers for sexual harassment or making lewd jokes, while the perpetrators got off scot-free.

“Now, for once, our voices as students are heard. And I ask you adults, educators, government, politicians, anyone… please save us.”

tw// R4P3 JOKES, VERBAL H4R4SSM3NT

this is what i experienced yesterday at school. please help make it safer for us. @maszlee @zunarkartunis @KemPendidikan @adibahnoor #Awareness #Malaysia pic.twitter.com/MSK2rMX6pg

— ain #MakeSchoolASaferPlace (@ant33ater) April 23, 2021

Ain Husniza’s claim comes just hours after she received repulsive comments on Facebook purportedly by her own principal, Sarimah Mohammed Nor, through the account Aimanaizad Sarimahmohammednor.

However, some individuals have said the remarks were posted by Sarimah’s autistic son.

The distasteful comments aimed at Ain Husniza and her parents are contained in a post published by Saiful Nizam last night.

“What a hypocrite. ‘Anak setan’ (Satan’s child) is wearing a headscarf,” read one of the remarks purportedly posted by Sarimah.

It was in reference to a poster uploaded by Saiful Nizam promoting a Facebook Live programme titled “Speak Up!” and organised by the Khadijah Learning Centre that will take place later today, featuring Ain Husniza, who is wearing a headscarf in the promotional material, and her mother, Niza Sharifudin.

A separate comment by Sarimah’s account said: “Ajarlah anak kurang ajar (Please teach your insolent daughter).”

Both comments were deleted not long afterwards. Sarimah has also deactivated her account following public outrage.

In a series of comments, user Farah Wahidah said the remarks purportedly by Sarimah were posted by the principal’s 25-year-old autistic son, said to go by the name Aiman, without her knowledge.

Farah said Sarimah lost her husband about three weeks ago, and is suffering from cancer.

Another user, Chyinta Arissa Adrina, said it is impossible for the comments to have been made by Sarimah as she herself has called on other teachers at the school to mind their behaviour following the issue highlighted by Ain Husniza. – The Vibes, May 9, 2021