IPOH: The state government will not stop the parents of four students scalded by hot water from a kettle used for a science practical training session at a school in Sitiawan from taking legal action.
State Education, Technology, Science and Environment Committee chairman Dr Abdul Aziz Bari said the state government is serious over this matter as well as the future of these students.
“As I said before that the incident did not involve negligence and practical training elements were not found to be in violation of the SOP (standard operating procedure), but this does not mean that I will stop the parents from taking legal action.
“The state government and I admit that every citizen have their own right. We believed the rule of law and court freedom and we can’t deny the parents’ rights to take this matter to the court, should it be necessary,” Abdul Aziz said this in a press conference at the 14th state Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here today.
Asked if the parents would take legal action soon, Abdul Aziz said he was not aware about that but only acknowledged the matter from several quarters.
“I think that is something common, whoever is involved in such incident, they would receive suggestions from family members or friends (on the next course of action).
“I do not wish to stop them or even to influence them not to take the legal action. That is their right. In this new Malaysia, every citizen has the right to do whatever they want to do and I strongly believe the decision that will be made by the court later.
“I do not wish to give pressure to the school and the parents. What I’m worried about is that there are several quarters who tried to twist my previous statement. I am only concerned with the teacher who is still traumatised over the incident and the school's lack of facility,” he said.
It was reported that the parents were aggrieved that certain parties are claiming that the incident was not due to negligence and what was more upsetting that these parties had claimed that the incident occurred because their children were being naughty, playing around the table on which the kettle had been placed.
During the 10.30am incident, a total of 35 students of Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Maha Ganesa Viddysalal in Sitiawan here were conducting science practical training with a teacher before three male students and a female student were scalded by hot water.