Mother demands probe over non-halal food caning at school

(Malaysian Mirror) Kuching - A 10-year-old boy from a mission school here was allegedly caned 10 times for bringing non-halal food to school.
Basil anak Beginda was asked to see the school's assistant principal, Iskandar bin Fadeli, and subsequently reprimanded for bringing 'fried rice cooked with pork sausages' to St. Thomas Primary School, one of Malaysia's historical school, on Oct 15.

It was alleged that the boy was caned 10 times on his palm.

The incident sparked off a wave of anger among the PKR women who held a press conference on Wednesday to condemn the act.

They had called for the Education Ministry to investigate the matter and take action against Iskandar.

The boy’s mother, Angela Jabing (pic) with the PKR State Women Chief, Ibi anak Uding, her deputy Nurhanim Hanna Mokhsen, vice chairman Voon Shiank Ni and other representatives wanted Iskandar to be transferred.

Jabing said her son was traumatized following the incident as he did not want to bring food to the school  when she insisted that he is allowed to do so.

Jabing explained that she had went to the school seeking for clarification from the headmistress, Alice Chung, four days after the caning on Oct 19.

“Chung was with Iskandar when I met her and the latter denied that he caned my son. He then said he would call Basil to explain himself. When my son came to the office and saw Iskandar, there was fear in his eyes but I coaxed him to tell the truth,” said Angela.

According to Jabing, Basil told them what happened and had told Iskandar that his parents always advised him not to offer non-halal food to his Muslim friends which he had never done so.

Jabing and PKR women comittee representatives in press conference Wednesday

After Basil finished his explanation, Iskandar allegedly had said, “'Jangan besar-besarkan' hal kerana isu ini isu yang cukup sensitif di kalangan orang orang islam."

According to the headmistress, Iskandar had announced earlier February this year during the assembly that students are prohibited to bring any non-halal food products to school even for their own consumption as a noble act to respect the Muslim students.

“I am baffled by this explanation. What about the Buddhist and Hindu? Ask the children not to bring beef then. What about those who are Vegetarian? Ask the children not to bring any kind of meat then,” said Jabing.