KUCHING: Police are investigating a teacher, who is also a warden of a male dormitory at a boarding school in Padawan district, for allegedly sexually assaulting two students in the school.
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata in a press conference, said they had received two police reports filed by the guardians of the 15-year-old victims at 3.55pm on Sunday (Nov 12).
The students claimed they were molested by the teacher at the school last year.
The teacher, who is in his 40s, was arrested on Monday (Nov 13) and he is being remanded for two days to facilitate investigations.
“The case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) for committing physical sexual abuse against children.
“If found guilty, he could face imprisonment for a term of up to 20 years along with corporal punishment,” he said at the state police headquarters on Tuesday morning (Nov 14).
He pointed out that the suspect being an educator, holds a position of trust over the victim, as defined by Section 16 of the same Act, which implies that the victim is under the care, supervision, or authority of the teacher.
Under Section 16, it stipulates an additional prison sentence of up to five years and a maximum of two strokes of the cane, if found guilty.
Mancha urged the public to remain vigilant and attentive to such cases as it could have long-term emotional and mental repercussions on children if such incidents are not addressed promptly.
“Those who fail to report information regarding sexual offences against children, may face fines of up to RM5,000 under Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017,” he said.
According to the police, when the victims fell ill, the warden took the sick students to his on-campus residence with the intention of providing care.
However, during the stay, the victims allegedly experienced inappropriate touching from the teacher while bathing and resting.
