(Johor, 22nd) Teacher turns predator?! Social media is abuzz with claims that a teacher allegedly molested a Year 6 girl, and then tried to settle the matter by 'promising to marry her after she turns 18'. As the incident drew extensive attention online, Johor police have swiftly intervened and arrested a 28-year-old local man for investigation.
Johor acting Chief Police Officer Deputy Commissioner He Quan Fa stated in a press release that police discovered a Facebook post about a school student being molested.
In a statement released on Friday (22nd), he said the 37-year-old mother of the victim lodged a police report at 9 PM Thursday (21st). Based on intelligence, the police launched an operation the same night at about 10:30 PM, arresting the 28-year-old male suspect.
'Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident occurred last year in the Taman Setia area. The suspect has no prior criminal record, and his urine test came back negative.'
He Quan Fa disclosed that on Friday morning (May 22nd), police brought the suspect to Johor Bahru court to apply for an extension of remand.
Currently, police are investigating under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (physical sexual assault on a child), which upon conviction, carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and caning.
He Quan Fa also urges the public not to make any speculative comments that may interfere with the police investigation regarding this case. Meanwhile, anyone with information can go to the nearest police station or call the Johor police hotline (0192792095) and Johor Police Headquarters Operations Room (072212999).
The teacher involved is reportedly still teaching, which deeply saddened Mohamad Fadli Salleh, social media influencer and former teacher who exposed the case online. He questioned if education officials would feel at ease if their daughters were in this teacher's class.
Mohamad Fadli Salleh was the first to expose the incident on Thursday (May 21st), claiming in his post that a teacher in the Masai area was earlier accused of having sexual relations with a Year 6 primary student.
The post pointed out that although police allegedly received related reports as early as November last year, the teacher at the time promised to marry the victim once she turned 18, which led to the matter being 'settled' for a period.
He stated in his post that the implicated teacher is still teaching at the primary school, leaving parents who are aware of the situation extremely concerned about their daughters' safety at school.
'I hope the officers at the District Education Office (PPD) and State Education Department (JPN) ask yourselves: if your daughter was in this teacher's class, would you feel safe?'