Penang cops probe student's claim to remove holy string, holy ash on forehead
03 Nov 2022 11:33pm
Seberang Perai Selatan district police chief Mohd Radzi Ahmad says the case is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code
Seberang Perai Selatan district police chief Mohd Radzi Ahmad said the 13-year-old teenager lodged the report at 10.43 pm and claimed that she was punished for wearing the shoes with velcro straps, had her holy string cut, and asked to remove sacred ash from her forehead, and the traditional black dot (pottu).
"The student related the incident to her father and they lodged a report for further action,” he said in a statement tonight.
Radzi said an initial investigation found that the girl had transferred to the school only last month and so far the police had recorded witness statements from several students and teachers in the school.
He said that based on the witnesses' initial statements, they claimed that they did not see the student being punished by kneeling during the assembly.
"There are also witnesses who claimed that they saw the red string on her hand and the black dot on her forehead even after school was over,” he said.
Radzi said police also received another report lodged by the female teacher denying the claims.
The case is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code, he added.
In this regard, he also advised the public not to make speculations about cases involving religious offences, as this could affect racial harmony.
According to him, the police are also taking the matter very seriously and are not compromising with any of the parties involved. - Bernama
