IPOH: Police have arrested a senior assistant teacher in a primary school here for allegedly sending indecent pictures and sexually harassing a 12-year-old pupil.
Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said that the 37-year-old male teacher, who had just served at the school for eight months was arrested by the police on Friday.
Azizi said the case came to light after the victim told her mother about the incident and this prompted the latter to lodge a police report at 3pm on Friday.
"The 47-year-old mother claimed that the suspect hugged and kissed her daughter on the month and that the daughter also received indecent pictures from the teacher.
"Further checks showed that the man has no criminal record and he has been remanded until Oct 17," he said at a press conference at the Perak police contingent headquarters today.
The case is being investigated under Section 14 (a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and is punishable with a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping upon conviction.
"The police view this issue seriously and are committed to addressing offences related to sexual misconduct against children, especially those involving school students.
"The police urge the public not to take any action that violates the law under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017," he said.
Asked if there were more victims, Azizi said that so far only one report received.
"We are still investigating this matter but so far only one report has been received. The teacher has allegedly harassed the victim several times," he added.
Yesterday, the Education Ministry said it was ready to provide counselling services to a 12-year-old female pupil from Ipoh who was reported to have been sexually harassed by her school vice-principal.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Wong said the counselling process has always been available for pupils.
The China Press reported that a male vice-principal of a Chinese primary school in Ipoh allegedly sent indecent photos to a pupil. He was also accused of kissing and hugging the pupil in a classroom.