Cover image via Berita Harian
About a week ago, a 30-year-old principal of a tahfiz centre in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, was arrested over reports that he forced anal sex on at least nine students, Police disclosed on Saturday
The principal was charged in Putrajaya Sessions Court on Wednesday, 19 September, with 11 offences under Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
So far, police have not used Section 377A of the Penal Code for sodomy on him.
Image via Mumamad Asyraf Sulaiman/Malaysia Gazette
The Tahfiz principle was nabbed a day after the police received a report from a teacher at the centre on Friday, 13 September
The principal's alleged victims are nine students aged between 11 and 16.
"The tahfiz students informed the complainant about (alleged sexual abuse) by the principal. The suspect is believed to have molested and sodomised all the victims," KL Deputy Police Chief Zainuddin Yaacop was quoted as saying by NST Online.
All nine students were taken to the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police headquarters to have their statements recorded. Later, they were sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for examination.
While all students have since be taken home by their families, deputy police chief Zainuddin has urged people with any information on the case to contact the police.
"Public cooperation is vital to ensure the well-being and security of the people and country," he said before adding that police will "ensure that the victims receive justice."
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Hannah Yeoh has responded to the case
Urging parents, teachers and relevant authorities to regularly review security measures in place for children, Hannah said that she has met with some of the children who were sodomised at the Tahfiz centre by its principal.
