Former teacher in Malaysia ordered to pay S$27,500 after slapping student four times seven years ago
A former secondary school teacher in Malaysia has been ordered to pay RM88,069 (around S$27,500) following a 2019 incident in which he slapped a 14-year-old student four times.
The Kota Bharu High Court ruled in favour of Mohamad Adam Maidin, now 21, who filed the civil action through his mother, Noor Azleen Mohamad.
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Former history teacher Isamuddin Ismail, 63, was named as the first defendant alongside three others.
At the time of the incident, he also served as the school’s senior assistant for administration.
Student developed hearing issues after incident
The incident happened at about 10.30am on 28 Jan 2019 while Mohamad Adam was attending class as a Form Two student.
According to the case, Isamuddin came up behind him while he was seated at his desk and struck him four times on both sides of his face.
In the aftermath, Mohamad Adam complained of pain around his face and ears. He also experienced dizziness, ringing in his ears, and problems with his hearing.
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His mother first brought him to Berek 12 Health Clinic. He was later sent to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia in Kubang Kerian, where his hearing was assessed by a specialist.
A medical report completed several months later found mild to moderate mixed hearing loss in his right ear.
Doctors classified it as a trauma-related injury believed to have been caused by the slapping.
Judge Mohd Rosli Yusoff found that Isamuddin had physically assaulted Mr Mohamad Adam.
The court also considered the medical evidence and hearing test results when assessing the injuries he suffered.
The judge added that, as an educator, Isamuddin owed his students a duty of care.
Student transferred schools following incident
When Ms Noor Azleen collected her son from school that day, his condition immediately raised concerns.
She recalled that he looked visibly shaken and pale, with redness on his face and a headache.
She only found out what had happened after one of his classmates told her about the slapping and suggested that Mr Mohamad Adam be taken for medical attention.
In the weeks that followed, he became fearful of going back to the same school and was eventually transferred elsewhere about a month after the incident.
According to Ms Noor Azleen, the emotional impact lingered well beyond the transfer, and it took roughly two to three years before she felt he had begun to recover.
Court awards RM88,069 in damages
Mr Mohamad Adam commenced the civil action in March 2021 through Messrs Syukran Noordin.
The other defendants were the school principal, the Director-General of Education, and the Malaysian Government.
Source: Kosmo
His lawyer, Mohd Syukran Mohd Noordin, said the court accepted the claim against all four defendants on grounds relating to negligence and their duty of care.
Of the RM88,069 awarded, RM45,000 (around S$14,000) was for general damages and RM569 (around S$180) for special damages.
The court also awarded RM11,250 (around S$3,500) each in exemplary and aggravated damages, as well as RM20,000 (around S$6,300) for interest and costs.
Also read: 55-year-old woman in S’pore jailed for assaulting maid in lift, ordered to pay S$5,000 compensation
55-year-old woman in S’pore jailed for assaulting maid in lift, ordered to pay S$5,000 compensation
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