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Kota Kinabalu: A former SMK Taun Gusi English Language Department Head described a teacher who was sued by his former student for allegedly refusing to teach English eight years ago as a bad-tempered person.

The 11th witness told the court that Mohd Jainal Jamrin (JJ) got the “sifat marah” personality.

According to the witness, she had a misunderstanding with JJ thrice because of his bad temper.

“I did not know what my mistakes were for him to slam books on the table and yell at me in public, including in the canteen and parking lot.

“The last incident I remember, he spat at my direction which demoralised me. I mentioned this to my husband,” she said.

She also told the court that other teachers were also at the receiving end of his temper.

The witness was testifying before High Court Judge Datuk Ismail Brahim, in the suit filed by plaintiff Siti Nafirah Siman, 23, against the JJ, SMK Taun Gusi Principal Suid Hj Hanapi (in his capacity as Principal of SMK Taun Gusi), SMK Taun Gusi, Kota Belud District Education Officer, Sabah Education Director, Director General of Education Malaysia, Minister of Education Malaysia and Government of Malaysia, as the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eight defendants.

The plaintiff is seeking, among others, a declaration that the eight defendants are in breach of their statutory duty under the Education Act by failing to ensure that she is taught English during February 2015 to Oct 2015 to prepare her for examinations as prescribed under the Education Act.

She is also seeking a declaration that the defendants are in breach of their duty under Regulation 3C, 25, 26 Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993; a declaration that the act complained off by the first, second, fourth, fifth, seventh and eight defendants amounted to misfeasance in public office.

She is also seeking a declaration that the defendants have violated her constitutional right to access to education guaranteed to her under Article 5 read together with Article 12 of the Federal Constitution, damages, costs and any further and other relief which the court may deem fit to grant.

The witness further testified that the Ketua Bidang Bahasa one Norhana asked for her Rancangan Pelajaran Harian (RPH) to use for JJ after two days the suit had been filed.

She said Norhana had mentioned that the RPH to be used for JJ who was not able to complete the RPH.

After the suit became viral, the witness said JJ then spoke to her and apologised for being rude.

The witness, who had taught in SMK Taun Gusi for 15 years before being transferred to SMK Usukan, said JJ’s failure to teach was an open secret in the school.

She said she knew about his truancy for two to three years while she was in SMK Taun Gusi.

She further testified that she reported JJ’s absenteeism to her superiors at the time but only verbally.

“The director had issued an order that JJ does not need to teach Form Five classes and all the classes were given to other English teachers including me.

“His failure to enter class to teach in 2015 also affected the syllabus of my students in 2016 because the students I received from Form Four to Form Five did not have exercise books and I need to cover two years’ syllabus within 10 months,” she said.

Counsel Shireen Sikayun defended Siti Nafirah while Senior Federal Counsel Jesseca Daimis and Federal Counsel Mohd Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir acted for the defendants.

Trial continues.