Velcro strap shoe incident: Teacher denies doing it
By Audrey Dermawan
November 4, 2022 @ 10:11am
TASEK GELUGOR: In an about-turn, the teacher in the shoe-strap incident has lodged a police report, denying allegations made against her by a student.
On Tuesday, the 13-year-old student had lodged a police report against a senior teacher for allegedly punishing her for wearing strap-on shoes to school.
The Form One student claimed that she was told to kneel on the tarred road with her hands raised during the school assembly.
She claimed she had told the senior teacher that her family could not afford to buy another pair of shoes with laces.
She also claimed that after the assembly, the teacher called her and cut the holy string on her hand and asked her to wash off the "pottu" and "vibhuti" on her forehead.
The student claimed that she felt ashamed to go to school after the incident.
Seberang Prai Utara police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Radzi Ahmad said initial investigations revealed that the student had just transferred to the school last month.
He said police had recorded statements from several witnesses, including from Malay and non-Malay students and teachers.
"They claimed that they did not see the student kneeling during the assembly.
"Witnesses also claimed that they saw the holy string on the student's hand and the 'pottu' and 'vibhuti' on her forehead after school hours.
"I can confirm that we have also received a a report from the teacher, denying all the allegations against her," he said in a statement tonight.
Radzi said the case was being probed under Section 298 of the Penal Code.
"Investigations are still ongoing. People should not speculate on matters, especially those involving religion which can affect racial harmony.
"Police view the matter seriously and will not compromise," he added.
