A TEACHER in Kota Kinabalu accused of cutting a student’s hijab at a secondary school in Lahad Datu last Friday has been transferred to another school, Sabah’s Director of Education, Datuk Raisin Saidin, confirmed.
Raisin stated that the action was taken through the Lahad Datu District Education Office (PPD).
"The teacher has apologised to the parents of the student involved, and the PPD Lahad Datu has transferred the teacher to another school while the student remains at the same school. The teacher has also replaced the hijab that was cut," he told Sinar Harian on Monday.
The transfer comes in response to a widely circulated incident that has sparked concern among parents, who criticised the teacher’s approach as humiliating and emotionally distressing for the students involved.
According to reports, the students’ hijabs were allegedly cut for being deemed insufficiently long, a measure that was met with strong disapproval from the community.
Raisin called on teachers to exercise discretion and sensitivity in their disciplinary actions, taking into account various factors, including the ability of parents to provide for their children’s school needs. "At the same time, I also advise students to always adhere to the rules set by the school. All regulations are implemented based on guidelines from the Ministry of Education, which aim to benefit the students. I also hope that incidents of this nature do not occur in other schools," he said.
The incident, which occurred on the fifth day of the 2026 school session, was first reported by Sinar Harian on Saturday after parents expressed dissatisfaction over the teacher’s conduct.
The social media posts detailing the event highlighted concerns over the emotional impact on students, the perceived damage to property, and the inappropriate nature of the punishment.
The case has reignited discussions on appropriate disciplinary methods in schools, balancing enforcement of rules with respect for students’ dignity and emotional well-being. - January 19, 2026
