By DayakDaily Team
PADAWAN, Oct 24: Police have launched an investigation into a disturbing case involving a schoolgirl from Padawan who was reportedly traumatised after being allegedly pelted with stones and violently threatened to be stabbed 300 times by two male classmates.
Padawan District Police chief Superintendent Mohd Irwan Hafiz Md Radzi confirmed that a report was lodged by the victim, who claimed she had been harassed and threatened by her male classmates.
He said the investigation is being conducted under Section 507c of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation via communication, which covers acts of threatening, insulting, or humiliating through any form of communication.
However, Irwan clarified that the victim’s police report did not mention any threat to “stab her 300 times,” contrary to what was reported by an online news portal.
“Yes, the case is under investigation. It involves a student being disturbed by her classmates, but there was no statement about wanting to ‘stab her 300 times’,” he said, as quoted by New Straits Times on Thursday (Oct 23).
The portal had earlier reported that the girl was pelted with stones and violently threatened by two 13-year-old male classmates.
According to a New Sarawak Tribune news, the case first came to light after Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief Milton Foo said he received a complaint from the victim’s parents, who alleged that their daughter had been verbally and physically harassed in class.
The claims, he said, had left the victim deeply traumatised, prompting the girl’s father to lodge a police report, while the school has taken disciplinary action by suspending both male students for three days. One of the boys was also transferred to another classroom.
Police reportedly issued verbal warnings to the two boys and instructed them to apologise to the victim in person.
Following the incident on Oct 22, the school convened a meeting with the parents of all students and police personnel to address the matter. The victim was granted a day’s leave by the school, but her parents, concerned about her psychological well-being, extended her break until Oct 30 and arranged for counselling support.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Education Department (JPN) director Omar Mahli confirmed that a bullying case involving a female student occurred at a secondary school in the Padawan area.
He assured that firm action, in line with established guidelines for handling bullying and disciplinary misconduct, will be taken against those involved. — DayakDaily
