Latest news with #Section323
Daily Express
4 hours ago
- Daily Express
Everyone failed Zara: Sabah PAS
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Ahmad described the case as a failure of the dormitory student protection and one which raised serious questions about school safety and accountability. KALABAKAN: Sabah PAS Deputy Commissioner Ahmad Dullah said the mystery surrounding the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir — who reportedly fell from the third floor of SMK Agama Tun Mustapha in Papar on July 17 but believed to have been bullied — must serve as a wake-up call. She was found unconscious in the school drain at 3am but died the following day in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He said in the Zara case an independent and transparent investigation is necessary in the wake of disturbing allegations that she was repeatedly bullied and emotionally distressed due to harassment by a senior student who went by the nickname of 'Kak Wana.' 'The night before the incident, Zara told her family, 'I'm really scared Kak Wana will get mad…',' he said in a statement. He did not reveal the source of this information. He described the case as a failure of the dormitory student protection and one which raised serious questions about school safety and accountability. 'What has our system neglected? No CCTV in the dormitory, no immediate police report, and the family claimed they were prevented from filing one because the school said they would 'handle it' themselves. 'Worse still, no early intervention despite Zara often expressing her emotional distress. This is a systemic failure — not just a disciplinary issue,' he said. Ahmad also called for an immediate end to the culture of fear among junior students toward seniors, often tolerated as 'boarding school tradition.' He said this so-called 'tradition', prevalent in many school dormitories across the country, can lead to extreme bullying if not taken seriously by school administrators. Citing a 2023 University of Malaya study, Ahmad noted that one in three boarding school students experienced physical or emotional bullying, but over 70pc never reported it for fear of retaliation or being seen as weak. As a member of the Children's Court Advisory Panel, he reminded that the law provides clear protections for children. 'Section 17 of the Child Act 2001 ensures that every child has the right to live in a safe environment, free from abuse. 'In cases of severe bullying, perpetrators can be investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code (causing hurt) or Section 506 (criminal intimidation), while schools, as registered guardians, can also face civil action for negligence,' he added. PAS Sabah listed several demands to prevent similar tragedies, including a full safety audit of all boarding schools — especially Islamic religious ones. These include the comprehensive implementation of the Education Ministry's Child Protection Code, transparent reporting systems, and strict action against any student, warden, or school official found to be negligent or complicit in covering up bullying cases. 'All investigations must be thorough and independent — with no excuses to delay justice under the pretext of awaiting post-mortem results,' Ahmad said. 'This time, a young child didn't get the chance to speak. Our condolences to Zara's family. May justice be served, and the truth not be hidden,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
9 hours ago
- Daily Express
Everyone failed Zara: Sabah PAS. Claims school prevented family from lodging police report
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 By: Lagatah Toyos Text Size: Ahmad described the case as a failure of the dormitory student protection and one which raised serious questions about school safety and accountability. KALABAKAN: Sabah PAS Deputy Commissioner Ahmad Dullah said the mystery surrounding the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir — who reportedly fell from the third floor of SMK Agama Tun Mustapha in Papar on July 17 but believed to have been bullied — must serve as a wake-up call. She was found unconscious in the school drain at 3am but died the following day in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He said in the Zara case an independent and transparent investigation is necessary in the wake of disturbing allegations that she was repeatedly bullied and emotionally distressed due to harassment by a senior student who went by the nickname of 'Kak Wana.' 'The night before the incident, Zara told her family, 'I'm really scared Kak Wana will get mad…',' he said in a statement. He did not reveal the source of this information. He described the case as a failure of the dormitory student protection and one which raised serious questions about school safety and accountability. 'What has our system neglected? No CCTV in the dormitory, no immediate police report, and the family claimed they were prevented from filing one because the school said they would 'handle it' themselves. 'Worse still, no early intervention despite Zara often expressing her emotional distress. This is a systemic failure — not just a disciplinary issue,' he said. Ahmad also called for an immediate end to the culture of fear among junior students toward seniors, often tolerated as 'boarding school tradition.' He said this so-called 'tradition', prevalent in many school dormitories across the country, can lead to extreme bullying if not taken seriously by school administrators. Citing a 2023 University of Malaya study, Ahmad noted that one in three boarding school students experienced physical or emotional bullying, but over 70pc never reported it for fear of retaliation or being seen as weak. As a member of the Children's Court Advisory Panel, he reminded that the law provides clear protections for children. 'Section 17 of the Child Act 2001 ensures that every child has the right to live in a safe environment, free from abuse. 'In cases of severe bullying, perpetrators can be investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code (causing hurt) or Section 506 (criminal intimidation), while schools, as registered guardians, can also face civil action for negligence,' he added. PAS Sabah listed several demands to prevent similar tragedies, including a full safety audit of all boarding schools — especially Islamic religious ones. These include the comprehensive implementation of the Education Ministry's Child Protection Code, transparent reporting systems, and strict action against any student, warden, or school official found to be negligent or complicit in covering up bullying cases. 'All investigations must be thorough and independent — with no excuses to delay justice under the pretext of awaiting post-mortem results,' Ahmad said. 'This time, a young child didn't get the chance to speak. Our condolences to Zara's family. May justice be served, and the truth not be hidden,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Two brothers plead not guilty to kidnapping and assault in Puchong
SHAH ALAM: Two brothers pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court today to charges of kidnapping and voluntarily causing hurt to a man in Puchong last week. V. Kirtik Ram, 19, a lorry attendant, and his brother V. Theshvinram, 18, a despatch rider, were jointly accused of abducting a 21-year-old local man with intent to wrongfully confine him. The charge under Section 365 of the Penal Code carries a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment and a fine. A second charge under Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt could result in a one-year jail term, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both. The alleged offences occurred at Jalan Persiaran Permai, Bukit Puchong, at 6.38 pm on July 22. The court granted bail at RM5,000 each for the kidnapping charge and RM2,000 each for causing hurt. The case will be mentioned again on September 8. - Bernama
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Daily Express
Trader held for criminal intimidation
Published on: Saturday, July 26, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 26, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: TAWAU: A trader was arrested for criminal intimidation and causing injury to a 63-year-old man in Wallace Bay, Pulau Sebatik, on Monday. District Police Chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said the arrest of the 64-year-old suspect, which took place on Wednesday. Jasmin said the victim was passing by a house when the suspect allegedly shouted profanities at him before proceeding to choke him, causing pain. The suspect was also reported to have grabbed the victim's shirt and uttered a threat saying, 'Not long before I gouge out your eyes,' prompting the victim to lodge a report. Police are investigating the case under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Daily Express
Two hubbies beat up their wives
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 By: Amir Anuar Text Size: The suspect allegedly punched the complainant repeatedly in the face and head, resulting in bleeding from the victim's lips and nose. - FMT pic for illustration only. TAWAU: Jealousy and infidelity are believed to be the motives behind an elderly man repeatedly punching his wife, causing injuries, at the Pasar Gantung Tapak Seratus Tahun, here, at 10.30pm on Tuesday. Tawau District Police Chief ACP Jasmin said the 65-year-old local fisherman was arrested at noon. 'The victim is a 41-year-old local who works as a trader,' he said. The suspect allegedly punched the complainant repeatedly in the face and head, resulting in bleeding from the victim's lips and nose. In a separate case, another husband is suspected of assaulting his wife, causing her to suffer bruises and pain throughout her body. 'The suspect and his partner, both 19, were reportedly involved in an argument due to a misunderstanding, which led the husband to become angry and physically assault his wife,' he said. The incident occurred at a grocery shop in the Balung area at noon on Tuesday. The suspect was arrested the following day at 3.50pm near a row of stalls along Jalan Apas-Balung. The authorities are looking into both cases under laws addressing intentional injury and domestic violence, specifically Section 323 of the Penal Code and Section 18A of the Domestic Violence Act. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
