The Star Online. News. Nation. Wednesday August 1, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: A mechanic claimed trial at a Sessions Court here to raping his girlfriend two years ago.
Norfazli Amberan, 19, was accused of raping the underaged girl at Taman Batu Muda in Sentul between 1am and 5.30am in the middle of May 2005.
The 14-year-old girl had lodged a police report against him about a month later – on July 13, 2005.
The teenager was arrested for the alleged rape on Nov 29, 2005 and subsequently based on an order dated Dec 6, 2005, he was released on a police bail.
The police later recorded his statements over the matter. On April 19 this year, the police had obtained instructions from the Attorney-General Chambers to charge him for the alleged rape.
DPP Rozaliana Zakaria has asked the court to deny bail to the accused saying that the offence was serious and that the prosecution was concerned that he would "disturb" their witnesses.
Norfazli, however, pleaded for lower bail. Judge Datin Anita Harun granted granted his bail at RM15,000 in one surety and set Sept 17 for mention, pending the appointment of a lawyer for Norfazli.
Monday, 6 August 2007
2007 08: Shocking: Rape, robbery, abduction, extortion
The Star Online. News. Nation. Wednesday August 1, 2007
SHAH ALAM: Two electricians claimed trial at two Sessions Courts here on Wednesday to multiple charges involving rape, outraging the modesty of a child, robbery, abduction and extortion.
Two girls, aged 17 and 12, and a 46-year-old man were the alleged victims of the crimes that purportedly took place on Feb 17, 2006.
R. Shasidaran, 23, and S. Kalidas, 19, were charged with raping the elder girl in a Perodua Kancil at Bukit Pencawang Letrik, Batu 11, Kampung Desa Aman in Sungai Buloh at between 5.40am and 6.40am on that day.
Each of the accused appeared in separate courts for the charge.
In one of the courts, Shasidaran was also accused of using criminal force against the younger girl, with intent to outrage her modesty in the same car and at the same place and time.
Shasidaran pleaded not guilty and appealed for a bail before Judge Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof.
In the other court, Shasidaran and Kalidas were charged with robbing the 46-year-old man with a parang and taking away from him RM140 and a wallet at the Rahman Putra industrial area in Sungai Buloh at between 5.30am and 7am on Feb 17, 2006.
The two were also charged with abducting the girls at the same place on that day.
Shasidaran and Kalidas are also accused of extorting RM1,000 from the father of one of the girls at Jalan Sebelah Kolam Pancing Ikan in Kampung Desa Aman, on the same day.
All the charges would be jointly mentioned on Aug 16.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Hana Hadinah S. Mohd Ghazali said bail should not be allowed to the two accused because of the many crimes and serious crimes they were involved in.
She said the two girls were travelling to school in the car with their 46-year-old guardian man, when the two accused stopped the car.
“They forced open the car, robbed, and drove away with the two girls.
“They also extort one of the girls’ father on the same day,” she said.
The DPP said the two accused had been charged in a Petaling Jaya Sessions Court for robbing and raping a 31-year-old woman and were denied bail.
Kalidas has an additional charge of forcing the woman to perform oral sex on him and another charge in the Petaling Jaya magistrate’s court for a drug-related case.
DPP Hana Hadinah said Kalidas also has a robbery case pending at the Selayang magistrate’s court.
SHAH ALAM: Two electricians claimed trial at two Sessions Courts here on Wednesday to multiple charges involving rape, outraging the modesty of a child, robbery, abduction and extortion.
Two girls, aged 17 and 12, and a 46-year-old man were the alleged victims of the crimes that purportedly took place on Feb 17, 2006.
R. Shasidaran, 23, and S. Kalidas, 19, were charged with raping the elder girl in a Perodua Kancil at Bukit Pencawang Letrik, Batu 11, Kampung Desa Aman in Sungai Buloh at between 5.40am and 6.40am on that day.
Each of the accused appeared in separate courts for the charge.
In one of the courts, Shasidaran was also accused of using criminal force against the younger girl, with intent to outrage her modesty in the same car and at the same place and time.
Shasidaran pleaded not guilty and appealed for a bail before Judge Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof.
In the other court, Shasidaran and Kalidas were charged with robbing the 46-year-old man with a parang and taking away from him RM140 and a wallet at the Rahman Putra industrial area in Sungai Buloh at between 5.30am and 7am on Feb 17, 2006.
The two were also charged with abducting the girls at the same place on that day.
Shasidaran and Kalidas are also accused of extorting RM1,000 from the father of one of the girls at Jalan Sebelah Kolam Pancing Ikan in Kampung Desa Aman, on the same day.
All the charges would be jointly mentioned on Aug 16.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Hana Hadinah S. Mohd Ghazali said bail should not be allowed to the two accused because of the many crimes and serious crimes they were involved in.
She said the two girls were travelling to school in the car with their 46-year-old guardian man, when the two accused stopped the car.
“They forced open the car, robbed, and drove away with the two girls.
“They also extort one of the girls’ father on the same day,” she said.
The DPP said the two accused had been charged in a Petaling Jaya Sessions Court for robbing and raping a 31-year-old woman and were denied bail.
Kalidas has an additional charge of forcing the woman to perform oral sex on him and another charge in the Petaling Jaya magistrate’s court for a drug-related case.
DPP Hana Hadinah said Kalidas also has a robbery case pending at the Selayang magistrate’s court.
Friday, 3 August 2007
2007 08: Schoolgirl slapping clip shown on YouTube
The Star Online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 31, 2007
CHINA Press reported a YouTube clip showing a bully slapping a schoolgirl for reporting about truancy.
The incident took place in a vacant classroom in Ipoh.
The bully was heard asking the girl if the slap was hard enough.
The bully warned the girl that those who had skipped classes were her “people” and not to report the matter to the school.
The girl, who was silent, was seen weeping in the empty classroom which was guarded by two other girls.
Youtube stated that more than 1,800 people had viewed the footage since July 29, with many criticising the bully.
CHINA Press reported a YouTube clip showing a bully slapping a schoolgirl for reporting about truancy.
The incident took place in a vacant classroom in Ipoh.
The bully was heard asking the girl if the slap was hard enough.
The bully warned the girl that those who had skipped classes were her “people” and not to report the matter to the school.
The girl, who was silent, was seen weeping in the empty classroom which was guarded by two other girls.
Youtube stated that more than 1,800 people had viewed the footage since July 29, with many criticising the bully.
2007 08: Beaten up, stripped and photographed
The Star Online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 31, 2007
NINE secondary schoolgirls beat up their schoolmate mafia-style and took nude photographs of her after cornering her as she was on her way to a friend’s house, Harian Metro reported.
The daily reported on its front page that one of the girls and her friends approached the 16-year-old victim, demanding to know if she had called her gemuk (fat) behind her back, in Muadzam Shah, Rompin.
The victim repeatedly denied the accusation but the nine girls, not satisfied with her reply, beat her up and slapped her before stripping her naked, the daily reported.
The assailants then used a mobile phone to take pictures of the nude victim as she lay crying on the roadside.
After her attackers left, the victim returned home and related the incident to her family, who then took her to lodge a police report.
The victim received treatment at the Muadzam Shah Hospital for bruises. Police have detained the nine girls.
.............................................................
Nine apologise to schoolmate
The Star Online. News. Nation. Saturday August 4, 2007
MUADZAM SHAH (Pahang): Nine female students from SM Keratong, Bandar Tun Razak here, who were involved in assaulting and taking nude photographs of their schoolmate last Friday have apologised to the 16-year-old victim.
The nine Form Four students cried as they asked for their friend’s forgiveness, accompanied by their mothers at a special gathering at the school yesterday.
Pahang education director Abdul Aziz Abdul Latiff said the case had ended harmoniously after Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar sent his special officer Shashim Shah Harun to help resolve the matter. – Bernama
.............................................................
Bullying among girls getting more rampant
The Star Online. News. Nation. Tuesday August 7, 2007
I REFER to the report ‘Nine apologise to classmate” (The Star, Aug 4) regarding the case of nine girls of SM Keratong, Bandar Tun Razak, who bullied their classmate.
These girls at least had the courage to admit their wrongdoing, but what they did was a disgrace not just to their alma mater but also to their fellow classmates and their families.
This is a classic case of girls behaving badly or should I say “Mean Girls” in real life.
Many people assume that boys only bully but then again this is no longer true. Female students are as capable as their male counterparts in bullying their peers, and the damage they leave is very serious and sometimes for life.
Bullying among female students not only come in the form of physical abuse but also usually come in more subtle forms such as emotional and psychological abuse through telling lies, spreading rumours, playing mind games, hurling insults, social exclusion, and even making degrading remarks about the victim either face-to-face or behind her back to destroy the victim’s self esteem.
Bullying among girls is becoming rampant in many societies and it is a fact that must be taken into consideration.
Girls who think that bullying make them superior to their peers are the ones with the problem, not the victims.
Studies have shown that female bullies resort to bullying not only due to insecurity problems but also due to problems at home. Research shows female bullies are likely to end up continuing to bully into adulthood whether at home, within their social circle or at the workplace unless their bad behaviour is curbed as early as possible.
If we want to reduce the growing incidences of bullying among female students, families, school staff and communities need to work together in combating the problem.
Moreover, these bullies need to undergo counselling and therapy, just like their victim, so that they will not repeat their bad behaviour in the future.
NINE secondary schoolgirls beat up their schoolmate mafia-style and took nude photographs of her after cornering her as she was on her way to a friend’s house, Harian Metro reported.
The daily reported on its front page that one of the girls and her friends approached the 16-year-old victim, demanding to know if she had called her gemuk (fat) behind her back, in Muadzam Shah, Rompin.
The victim repeatedly denied the accusation but the nine girls, not satisfied with her reply, beat her up and slapped her before stripping her naked, the daily reported.
The assailants then used a mobile phone to take pictures of the nude victim as she lay crying on the roadside.
After her attackers left, the victim returned home and related the incident to her family, who then took her to lodge a police report.
The victim received treatment at the Muadzam Shah Hospital for bruises. Police have detained the nine girls.
.............................................................
Nine apologise to schoolmate
The Star Online. News. Nation. Saturday August 4, 2007
MUADZAM SHAH (Pahang): Nine female students from SM Keratong, Bandar Tun Razak here, who were involved in assaulting and taking nude photographs of their schoolmate last Friday have apologised to the 16-year-old victim.
The nine Form Four students cried as they asked for their friend’s forgiveness, accompanied by their mothers at a special gathering at the school yesterday.
Pahang education director Abdul Aziz Abdul Latiff said the case had ended harmoniously after Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar sent his special officer Shashim Shah Harun to help resolve the matter. – Bernama
.............................................................
Bullying among girls getting more rampant
The Star Online. News. Nation. Tuesday August 7, 2007
I REFER to the report ‘Nine apologise to classmate” (The Star, Aug 4) regarding the case of nine girls of SM Keratong, Bandar Tun Razak, who bullied their classmate.
These girls at least had the courage to admit their wrongdoing, but what they did was a disgrace not just to their alma mater but also to their fellow classmates and their families.
This is a classic case of girls behaving badly or should I say “Mean Girls” in real life.
Many people assume that boys only bully but then again this is no longer true. Female students are as capable as their male counterparts in bullying their peers, and the damage they leave is very serious and sometimes for life.
Bullying among female students not only come in the form of physical abuse but also usually come in more subtle forms such as emotional and psychological abuse through telling lies, spreading rumours, playing mind games, hurling insults, social exclusion, and even making degrading remarks about the victim either face-to-face or behind her back to destroy the victim’s self esteem.
Bullying among girls is becoming rampant in many societies and it is a fact that must be taken into consideration.
Girls who think that bullying make them superior to their peers are the ones with the problem, not the victims.
Studies have shown that female bullies resort to bullying not only due to insecurity problems but also due to problems at home. Research shows female bullies are likely to end up continuing to bully into adulthood whether at home, within their social circle or at the workplace unless their bad behaviour is curbed as early as possible.
If we want to reduce the growing incidences of bullying among female students, families, school staff and communities need to work together in combating the problem.
Moreover, these bullies need to undergo counselling and therapy, just like their victim, so that they will not repeat their bad behaviour in the future.
2007 08: Boy freed before ransom collection, two nabbed
The Star Online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 31, 2007
JOHOR BARU: In another case of bungling kidnappers, the abductors of a six-year-old boy released him before collecting a RM3,000 ransom here.
The boy was found wandering in Skudai hours before his family was to drop the money at a location on July 16.
Police arrested two suspects, in their 20s, one of whom was picked up in Singapore last week.
In the earlier case on July 18, a group of kidnappers released a 16-year-old schoolboy in Sungai Petani before their accomplices could pick up a RM50,000 ransom in Penang.
In the Skudai incident, it is learnt that the boy’s grandfather was sending his two grandsons to kindergarten when a car bumped into his motorcycle at 7am.
They fell and three people came out of the car and bundled one of the boys into their car and drove off.
Several hours later, the boy’s father, who works in the shipping sector in Singapore, received a call asking for RM300,000 and not to report to the police.
But the parents, who informed the police, managed to reduce the amount to RM3,000, which was to be dropped off at an undisclosed location in Skudai.
Hours before the money was to be placed at the agreed location, the family got a call that police had found the boy wondering alone in the district. The kidnappers failed to show up at the drop-off point.
Police arrested the first suspect in Woodlands, Singapore, with the help of police there last week. The other suspect was picked up in Skudai.
A senior police officer said they were looking for another suspect.
JOHOR BARU: In another case of bungling kidnappers, the abductors of a six-year-old boy released him before collecting a RM3,000 ransom here.
The boy was found wandering in Skudai hours before his family was to drop the money at a location on July 16.
Police arrested two suspects, in their 20s, one of whom was picked up in Singapore last week.
In the earlier case on July 18, a group of kidnappers released a 16-year-old schoolboy in Sungai Petani before their accomplices could pick up a RM50,000 ransom in Penang.
In the Skudai incident, it is learnt that the boy’s grandfather was sending his two grandsons to kindergarten when a car bumped into his motorcycle at 7am.
They fell and three people came out of the car and bundled one of the boys into their car and drove off.
Several hours later, the boy’s father, who works in the shipping sector in Singapore, received a call asking for RM300,000 and not to report to the police.
But the parents, who informed the police, managed to reduce the amount to RM3,000, which was to be dropped off at an undisclosed location in Skudai.
Hours before the money was to be placed at the agreed location, the family got a call that police had found the boy wondering alone in the district. The kidnappers failed to show up at the drop-off point.
Police arrested the first suspect in Woodlands, Singapore, with the help of police there last week. The other suspect was picked up in Skudai.
A senior police officer said they were looking for another suspect.
2007 08: EDITORIAL: Uncovering child abuse
NST Online. Columns. 29/7/07
THE shock and horror over the rise in child abuse almost everywhere have less to do with the fact that it happens at all but where and by whom.
In Ireland and the United States, offences against children were sensationally found to be endemic in church-run facilities, committed by men of the cloth. In the siege of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad earlier this month, many of the human shields suborned by the mad mullah Abdul Rashid Ghazi in his standoff against the Pakistan military were boys and girls. A recent study by Unicef and the Indian government adjudged two out of three children to be abused, giving the lie to the families and communities that were thought of as their guardians. In Malaysia, the worst offenders are not the dirty old men bearing sweets and trinkets, but mothers and fathers as seemingly ordinary as the ones next door.
Violence in the home is difficult to winkle out, shrouded as it usually is in a conspiracy of silence between perpetrator and victim, and sometimes abetted by a society that prefers not to know. The "don’t ask, don’t tell" syndrome constrains even the government’s willingness to intervene. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s first reaction to the latest alleged baby beating case in Johor Baru was disbelief at the egregious degree of parental neglect and dysfunction involved. She made a plea for family members to look out for the danger signs of "stress" that could whiplash into child abuse. Shahrizat’s ministry, although watchful of the cases that do come to its notice, is clueless about those that are not reported to the police or the hotlines and other services the Welfare Department provides.
Whether or not the government’s child protection mechanisms are adequate depends on how much abuse there actually is below its somewhat limited radar. The harming of minors under care can have causes and effects so complex that only psychologists can detect them. As in India, comprehensive research would almost certainly reveal the sort of mistreatment that was once unheeded, covered up or regarded as none of anyone else’s business. In India, too, an in-depth academic study was a precursor to the evolution of laws from a "needs-based" to a "rights-based" approach to child development. The deaths of Shearwel Ooi Ying Ying and others may or may not be due to an anomalous breakdown in the biological ties between parent and child. Either way, newspaper headlines of such heart-rending instances are no basis for future policy.
THE shock and horror over the rise in child abuse almost everywhere have less to do with the fact that it happens at all but where and by whom.
In Ireland and the United States, offences against children were sensationally found to be endemic in church-run facilities, committed by men of the cloth. In the siege of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad earlier this month, many of the human shields suborned by the mad mullah Abdul Rashid Ghazi in his standoff against the Pakistan military were boys and girls. A recent study by Unicef and the Indian government adjudged two out of three children to be abused, giving the lie to the families and communities that were thought of as their guardians. In Malaysia, the worst offenders are not the dirty old men bearing sweets and trinkets, but mothers and fathers as seemingly ordinary as the ones next door.
Violence in the home is difficult to winkle out, shrouded as it usually is in a conspiracy of silence between perpetrator and victim, and sometimes abetted by a society that prefers not to know. The "don’t ask, don’t tell" syndrome constrains even the government’s willingness to intervene. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s first reaction to the latest alleged baby beating case in Johor Baru was disbelief at the egregious degree of parental neglect and dysfunction involved. She made a plea for family members to look out for the danger signs of "stress" that could whiplash into child abuse. Shahrizat’s ministry, although watchful of the cases that do come to its notice, is clueless about those that are not reported to the police or the hotlines and other services the Welfare Department provides.
Whether or not the government’s child protection mechanisms are adequate depends on how much abuse there actually is below its somewhat limited radar. The harming of minors under care can have causes and effects so complex that only psychologists can detect them. As in India, comprehensive research would almost certainly reveal the sort of mistreatment that was once unheeded, covered up or regarded as none of anyone else’s business. In India, too, an in-depth academic study was a precursor to the evolution of laws from a "needs-based" to a "rights-based" approach to child development. The deaths of Shearwel Ooi Ying Ying and others may or may not be due to an anomalous breakdown in the biological ties between parent and child. Either way, newspaper headlines of such heart-rending instances are no basis for future policy.
2007 08: MOM-STER IN THE HOME: The ugly spectre of growing child abuse
NST Online. Frontpage. 29/7/07
Mothers and fathers are doing the unthinkable: Abusing their children and scarring them for life. In some cases, they have sent them to an early grave. What drives such insanity? P. SELVARANI and TAN CHOE CHOE examine the social phenomenon that is leaving Malaysians shaken to the core
MOTHERS are said to have been created by God as He could not be everywhere.
But some are committing the ultimate betrayal by abusing their own flesh and blood — their children.
This is a phenomenon puzzling to the authorities and the average Malaysian alike, that the very people charged with raising and nurturing children — parents — are hurting them beyond belief, sometimes to death.
There is no escaping the ugly spectre of worsening statistics: Child abuse cases have increased by 60 per cent in the past five years, from 1,242 in 2002 to 1,999 last year.
It paints a frightening outlook for the future.
Mothers were responsible for 493 of the 1,999 cases of child abuse last year, according to Welfare Department statistics.
Fathers, their children’s supposed hero and protector, came in a close second. They were responsible for 441 of the cases.
Collectively, parents were responsible for nearly five out of 10 cases of child abuse last year.
Police statistics show that of the 26 child murder cases reported in the first five months of this year, five were committed by fathers and two by mothers.
Some of the victims were newborn babies.
At least two out of 10 victims were less than 4 years old.
Those between 7 and 15 made up the majority of reported cases.
Statistics also show that in 214 cases, the boyfriend or girlfriend of the victims had a hand in the abuse.
Other abusers were friends, relatives, step-parents, babysitters and neighbours.
The figures were so alarming that police set up the Sexual Crimes and Children division, or D11, to handle them.
According to the department, the reasons for abuse vary but family problems were the main cause cited (659 cases).
In 116 cases, the abusers were found to be mentally disturbed.
There were also abusers who were alcoholics (83), dadah addicts (81) and those who were abuse victims themselves (28).
Living apart from the family in their early growing up years was also cited as a reason for abuse, especially among parents.
There were abusers who blamed the child for being hyperactive, making it difficult for the parents or guardian to watch over them. Exhaustion led to frayed tempers and in 101 cases, violence.
A small number of abusers cited financial problems, superstitious beliefs and the intention of disciplining children.
To 33 abusers, the fact that a child was born out of wedlock was enough cause for abuse.
In about 10 per cent of cases, no one could identify a reason for the abuse.
Urbanisation may also be a factor as the incidents mostly occurred in more developed states, such as Selangor, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
"This is a possibility as city dwellers usually work long hours and are generally stressed.
"From our data, higher density areas generally have more reported cases," said Welfare Department director-general Datuk Rafek Reshidullah.
Some 50 per cent of cases reported to the department last year came from government hospitals.
The 24-hour Teledera helpline, a dedicate telephone line to report child abuse, referred only 37 cases to the department over the same period.
"The number is not big but Teledera is very effective, especially in reaching out to those who need advice or immediate help.
"During office hours, the department will handle the telephone calls. Calls outside office hours are routed to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.
Most cases reported are new cases, said Rafek.
"We have a registry that keeps track of victims and abusers. We know who they are, and repeat incidents are rare.
"However, he said not all abuse cases were reported to the police, with reported cases being the very severe ones.
Once an abusive parent or guardian is referred to the department, a welfare officer will separate the child from him (or her) and place the victim in a temporary shelter.
The parent or guardian will then be counselled.
"We will investigate the case and the findings will be presented to the Children’s Court.
"The court will decide if the child remains with the parent or guardian or is placed in the care of a more fit and proper person.
"In most cases, the child is usually returned to the care of the family, providing the parent or guardian who abused the child is repentant.
"Otherwise, the child may be placed in foster care or, as a last resort, sent to a welfare institution or orphanage.
The sorry episode does not end there. The abused victim may go on to become an abuser.
Mothers and fathers are doing the unthinkable: Abusing their children and scarring them for life. In some cases, they have sent them to an early grave. What drives such insanity? P. SELVARANI and TAN CHOE CHOE examine the social phenomenon that is leaving Malaysians shaken to the core
MOTHERS are said to have been created by God as He could not be everywhere.
But some are committing the ultimate betrayal by abusing their own flesh and blood — their children.
This is a phenomenon puzzling to the authorities and the average Malaysian alike, that the very people charged with raising and nurturing children — parents — are hurting them beyond belief, sometimes to death.
There is no escaping the ugly spectre of worsening statistics: Child abuse cases have increased by 60 per cent in the past five years, from 1,242 in 2002 to 1,999 last year.
It paints a frightening outlook for the future.
Mothers were responsible for 493 of the 1,999 cases of child abuse last year, according to Welfare Department statistics.
Fathers, their children’s supposed hero and protector, came in a close second. They were responsible for 441 of the cases.
Collectively, parents were responsible for nearly five out of 10 cases of child abuse last year.
Police statistics show that of the 26 child murder cases reported in the first five months of this year, five were committed by fathers and two by mothers.
Some of the victims were newborn babies.
At least two out of 10 victims were less than 4 years old.
Those between 7 and 15 made up the majority of reported cases.
Statistics also show that in 214 cases, the boyfriend or girlfriend of the victims had a hand in the abuse.
Other abusers were friends, relatives, step-parents, babysitters and neighbours.
The figures were so alarming that police set up the Sexual Crimes and Children division, or D11, to handle them.
According to the department, the reasons for abuse vary but family problems were the main cause cited (659 cases).
In 116 cases, the abusers were found to be mentally disturbed.
There were also abusers who were alcoholics (83), dadah addicts (81) and those who were abuse victims themselves (28).
Living apart from the family in their early growing up years was also cited as a reason for abuse, especially among parents.
There were abusers who blamed the child for being hyperactive, making it difficult for the parents or guardian to watch over them. Exhaustion led to frayed tempers and in 101 cases, violence.
A small number of abusers cited financial problems, superstitious beliefs and the intention of disciplining children.
To 33 abusers, the fact that a child was born out of wedlock was enough cause for abuse.
In about 10 per cent of cases, no one could identify a reason for the abuse.
Urbanisation may also be a factor as the incidents mostly occurred in more developed states, such as Selangor, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
"This is a possibility as city dwellers usually work long hours and are generally stressed.
"From our data, higher density areas generally have more reported cases," said Welfare Department director-general Datuk Rafek Reshidullah.
Some 50 per cent of cases reported to the department last year came from government hospitals.
The 24-hour Teledera helpline, a dedicate telephone line to report child abuse, referred only 37 cases to the department over the same period.
"The number is not big but Teledera is very effective, especially in reaching out to those who need advice or immediate help.
"During office hours, the department will handle the telephone calls. Calls outside office hours are routed to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society.
Most cases reported are new cases, said Rafek.
"We have a registry that keeps track of victims and abusers. We know who they are, and repeat incidents are rare.
"However, he said not all abuse cases were reported to the police, with reported cases being the very severe ones.
Once an abusive parent or guardian is referred to the department, a welfare officer will separate the child from him (or her) and place the victim in a temporary shelter.
The parent or guardian will then be counselled.
"We will investigate the case and the findings will be presented to the Children’s Court.
"The court will decide if the child remains with the parent or guardian or is placed in the care of a more fit and proper person.
"In most cases, the child is usually returned to the care of the family, providing the parent or guardian who abused the child is repentant.
"Otherwise, the child may be placed in foster care or, as a last resort, sent to a welfare institution or orphanage.
The sorry episode does not end there. The abused victim may go on to become an abuser.
2007 08: Girl claims teacher molested her
The Star Online. News. Nation. Sunday July 29, 2007
ALOR STAR: A 16-year-old schoolgirl has lodged a police report alleging that a teacher had molested her.
She claimed that the teacher had given her RM15 after he had caressed her cheek, breasts and thigh.
She said the incident occurred at about noon in a small room inside the school’s arts room on Wednesday.
She said she had earlier asked the teacher to send her elder sister, who is in Form Five, home as she was suffering from tonsillitis.
“I asked my friend to accompany us as I did not want to be alone with the teacher on our way back to school.
“When we reached the school, the teacher parked the car in a secluded area and asked my friend to go back to the classroom,” she said, adding that the teacher asked her to follow him to a room where he allegedly molested her.
She said he later gave her RM15.
“I threw the money and rushed back home,” the girl said.
Kubang Pasu OCPD Supt Mohd Karim Abu confirmed that the girl had lodged a report alleging that her teacher molested her.
“We have questioned the teacher. The teacher claimed he did not do it,” he said.
ALOR STAR: A 16-year-old schoolgirl has lodged a police report alleging that a teacher had molested her.
She claimed that the teacher had given her RM15 after he had caressed her cheek, breasts and thigh.
She said the incident occurred at about noon in a small room inside the school’s arts room on Wednesday.
She said she had earlier asked the teacher to send her elder sister, who is in Form Five, home as she was suffering from tonsillitis.
“I asked my friend to accompany us as I did not want to be alone with the teacher on our way back to school.
“When we reached the school, the teacher parked the car in a secluded area and asked my friend to go back to the classroom,” she said, adding that the teacher asked her to follow him to a room where he allegedly molested her.
She said he later gave her RM15.
“I threw the money and rushed back home,” the girl said.
Kubang Pasu OCPD Supt Mohd Karim Abu confirmed that the girl had lodged a report alleging that her teacher molested her.
“We have questioned the teacher. The teacher claimed he did not do it,” he said.
2007 08: Parent: Teacher slapped my son
The Star Online. News. Nation. Saturday July 28, 2007
KLANG: In another case of school rage, a motor workshop owner alleged that a Tamil schoolteacher slapped his son.
M. Shanmugamoorthy, 35, claimed that the teacher was angry that the Year Four pupil had been slow in picking up litter which she had ordered him to clear.
“She scolded my son for the delay and slapped him,” he said, adding that the boy, S. Kirbakaran, stumbled and the left side of his face hit the corner of a desk.
Shanmugamoorthy said he lodged a police report after fetching his son from the school, following Tuesday's incident at the SJK (T) Batu Empat in Kampung Jawa here.
He then took the boy, who had a blue-black mark near the eye, for a medical check-up at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital.
KLANG: In another case of school rage, a motor workshop owner alleged that a Tamil schoolteacher slapped his son.
M. Shanmugamoorthy, 35, claimed that the teacher was angry that the Year Four pupil had been slow in picking up litter which she had ordered him to clear.
“She scolded my son for the delay and slapped him,” he said, adding that the boy, S. Kirbakaran, stumbled and the left side of his face hit the corner of a desk.
Shanmugamoorthy said he lodged a police report after fetching his son from the school, following Tuesday's incident at the SJK (T) Batu Empat in Kampung Jawa here.
He then took the boy, who had a blue-black mark near the eye, for a medical check-up at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital.
2007 08: Student may be suspended for strangling his teacher
The Star Online. News. Nation. Saturday July 28, 2007
KOTA TINGGI: A secondary school student may face suspension for strangling his teacher.
On Thursday, a 28-year-old teacher was strangled by the 17-year-old student at SMK Bandar, Kota Tinggi, after she told him to do squats as punishment for being noisy in the school's toilet.
The victim was teaching in her class at 10.25am when she heard a group of students causing a commotion in the school toilet.
She went there and told nine male students to come out.
However, she was met by jeers and taunts by the suspect when they did came out.
The teacher then decided to reprimand the student and three others by telling them to do squats 10 times but the same student ignored her orders and went back inside the toilet.
She grabbed his wrists but he brushed her hands away and shoved the teacher against a wall.
He then strangled her before other students came to break up the scuffle.
Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Osman Mohamed Sebot said the teacher suffered bruises on her neck and other minor injuries.
State education director Mokhy Saidon said that the department would investigate the matter to determine the right course of actions to be taken.
"We will investigate and see whether there is a need to suspend the student," said Mokhy when contacted here yesterday.
Mokhy said the department would also arrange a meeting between the teacher and the student's parents before deciding on further actions.
.............................................................
Boy who attacked teacher expelled, but he can appeal
The Star Online. News. Nation. Sunday July 29, 2007
KOTA TINGGI: A secondary school student who tried to strangle his teacher for reprimanding him has been expelled.
State education director Mokhy Saidon said that the department had investigated the matter and decided to expel him.
“But he can appeal against the decision,” said Mokhy when contacted here yesterday.
On Thursday, a 28-year-old teacher was attacked by the 17-year-old student at SMK Bandar, Kota Tinggi, after she told him to do squats as punishment for being noisy in the school’s toilet.
She was in her class at 10.25am when she heard a group of students causing a commotion in the toilet.
She went over and told the nine boys to come out. The boys came out. Some jeered and taunted her.
The teacher decided to reprimand them by telling them to do 10 squats. However, the 17-year-old student ignored her and turned to return to the toilet.
The teacher grabbed his wrist to stop him but the boy shook off her hands, shoved her against a wall and started choking her before other students rushed to stop him.
Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Osman Mohamed Sebot said the teacher suffered bruises on her neck and other minor injuries.
Mokhy said the department met the teacher and the student’s parents before reaching the decision.
“Students do such things probably because they feel that the teachers should not discipline them.
“This could be due to recent reports where teachers were reprimanded for punishing their students,” said Mokhy.
.............................................................
Schoolboy makes amends for action
The Star Online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 31, 2007
KOTA TINGGI: The 17-year-old boy who tried to strangle his female teacher has made amends for his action.
In the presence of Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar, who was at SMK Bandar Kota Tinggi to investigate the matter yesterday, the boy shook the teacher's hand and kissed it.
“We consider the case closed. The boy can appeal against the expulsion or asks to be transferred to another school,” Noh said.
The teacher said she would apply to be transferred to another school.
“I want to put the incident behind me,” said the teacher who taught English, Science and Mathematics.
Noh reiterated that all schools must follow the proper procedure in dealing with discipline issues, to be fair to all parties involved.
He said that while punishment was important to deal with discipline problems, adhering to the right process was even more important.
“I reminded all district offices last week that in such cases, the student, teacher, parents, parent-teacher associations and the police must be summoned to a hearing,” he said.
In this case, both parties acted emotionally, he said, adding that all teachers should not make spontaneous decisions.
“The student was wrong in this matter but the school was too focused on punishment and disregarded the right procedures.
“The student and his eight friends will undergo a motivation course at the curriculum centre in Johor Baru while the teacher will seek counselling,” said Noh.
Noh also said that a teacher in Bandar Baru Darul Aman, Kedah, who allegedly molested a student, would be suspended for two months.
KOTA TINGGI: A secondary school student may face suspension for strangling his teacher.
On Thursday, a 28-year-old teacher was strangled by the 17-year-old student at SMK Bandar, Kota Tinggi, after she told him to do squats as punishment for being noisy in the school's toilet.
The victim was teaching in her class at 10.25am when she heard a group of students causing a commotion in the school toilet.
She went there and told nine male students to come out.
However, she was met by jeers and taunts by the suspect when they did came out.
The teacher then decided to reprimand the student and three others by telling them to do squats 10 times but the same student ignored her orders and went back inside the toilet.
She grabbed his wrists but he brushed her hands away and shoved the teacher against a wall.
He then strangled her before other students came to break up the scuffle.
Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Osman Mohamed Sebot said the teacher suffered bruises on her neck and other minor injuries.
State education director Mokhy Saidon said that the department would investigate the matter to determine the right course of actions to be taken.
"We will investigate and see whether there is a need to suspend the student," said Mokhy when contacted here yesterday.
Mokhy said the department would also arrange a meeting between the teacher and the student's parents before deciding on further actions.
.............................................................
Boy who attacked teacher expelled, but he can appeal
The Star Online. News. Nation. Sunday July 29, 2007
KOTA TINGGI: A secondary school student who tried to strangle his teacher for reprimanding him has been expelled.
State education director Mokhy Saidon said that the department had investigated the matter and decided to expel him.
“But he can appeal against the decision,” said Mokhy when contacted here yesterday.
On Thursday, a 28-year-old teacher was attacked by the 17-year-old student at SMK Bandar, Kota Tinggi, after she told him to do squats as punishment for being noisy in the school’s toilet.
She was in her class at 10.25am when she heard a group of students causing a commotion in the toilet.
She went over and told the nine boys to come out. The boys came out. Some jeered and taunted her.
The teacher decided to reprimand them by telling them to do 10 squats. However, the 17-year-old student ignored her and turned to return to the toilet.
The teacher grabbed his wrist to stop him but the boy shook off her hands, shoved her against a wall and started choking her before other students rushed to stop him.
Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Osman Mohamed Sebot said the teacher suffered bruises on her neck and other minor injuries.
Mokhy said the department met the teacher and the student’s parents before reaching the decision.
“Students do such things probably because they feel that the teachers should not discipline them.
“This could be due to recent reports where teachers were reprimanded for punishing their students,” said Mokhy.
.............................................................
Schoolboy makes amends for action
The Star Online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 31, 2007
KOTA TINGGI: The 17-year-old boy who tried to strangle his female teacher has made amends for his action.
In the presence of Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar, who was at SMK Bandar Kota Tinggi to investigate the matter yesterday, the boy shook the teacher's hand and kissed it.
“We consider the case closed. The boy can appeal against the expulsion or asks to be transferred to another school,” Noh said.
The teacher said she would apply to be transferred to another school.
“I want to put the incident behind me,” said the teacher who taught English, Science and Mathematics.
Noh reiterated that all schools must follow the proper procedure in dealing with discipline issues, to be fair to all parties involved.
He said that while punishment was important to deal with discipline problems, adhering to the right process was even more important.
“I reminded all district offices last week that in such cases, the student, teacher, parents, parent-teacher associations and the police must be summoned to a hearing,” he said.
In this case, both parties acted emotionally, he said, adding that all teachers should not make spontaneous decisions.
“The student was wrong in this matter but the school was too focused on punishment and disregarded the right procedures.
“The student and his eight friends will undergo a motivation course at the curriculum centre in Johor Baru while the teacher will seek counselling,” said Noh.
Noh also said that a teacher in Bandar Baru Darul Aman, Kedah, who allegedly molested a student, would be suspended for two months.
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