Kota Kinabalu: Leading Counsel Datuk Ram Singh who last week lodged a report asking police to investigate whether there had been another case of a female student falling from SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, now claims there was a new case of bullying which was kept from public knowledge two months ago.
According to Ram who is assisting the ongoing coroner’s inquiry into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir a year ago, the May 13 incident in the same school involved three older male students bullying a Form One student.
“A complaint was lodged by the child’s father. It was investigated and the three students were charged in the Children’s Court in Papar.
“The court ordered that the child offenders do 120 hours of community service at the same school,” he said.
“My concern is why should such incidents happen when the inquest into Zara’s death is still ongoing? I have no doubt there is something seriously wrong with the school regarding discipline.
“Teachers, wardens, principal and other officers from the school were all questioned on the school management and discipline, yet the incidents occur,” he said, adding something must be done for the sake of the children.
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“This is not right as the safety and welfare of students is the paramount responsibility of the school management,” he said.
Ram thanked Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun for responding to the report he lodged on Sunday.
According to Jauteh, the matter is best referred to the State Education Department. In the report, Ram had alleged that the student in the latest case suffered a broken leg and may have left a suicide note.
However, the Education Department which was silent on the incident until two days later, said she was stable and did not suffer serious injuries.
Daily Express tried to contact Education Director Datuk Raisin Saidin but it went unanswered.
Daily Express learnt that he had just retired from government service.
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