The Kelantan Education Department is awaiting written instructions from the Education Ministry on action to be taken on a complaint a teacher at SK Bihai had slapped four Orang Asli children on Oct 23.

Contacted today, department director Hussain Awang said the ministry’s letter is probably on the way, as it usually takes time for mail to arrive from Putrajaya.

He said his department had submitted a report on the incident to the ministry three weeks ago.  

“(But since) the parents have lodged a police report , we can’t do anything (except allow) the police (to) investigate,” he said.

Asked if any action has been taken against the teacher concerned, he said “No” and reiterated the need to wait for the police probe to be concluded.

The non-Muslim students, aged between 12 and 14, were allegedly slapped because they had failed to recite the doa after having lunch at their school in Pos Bihai, near Gua Musang.

NONE Last Friday, Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong ( left ) had said that the matter has been transferred to the state education department and that he is confident that it will investigate the complaint.

On Dec 2, the fathers of the children had lodged a second police report against the teacher and three of her colleagues for allegedly offering them money to withdraw their first report.

They claimed that the bribery attempt had taken place during a Parent-Teacher Association meeting on Nov 7.

This allegation is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

MACC jumps into Orang Asli slapping case