ALOR SETAR, Aug 10 — A couple have claimed that their nine-year-old son was bullied by a 15-year-old student at his school, leaving him with bruises on several parts of his body and face.

The victim’s father, Syamsul Azrin Man, 45, said he only discovered what had happened to his only child when he picked him up from a tahfiz school hostel here for a week-long holiday on July 30.

“I took my son home for a week-long holiday. At that time, I did not notice the bruises on his face. Later, when I noticed them, I asked him and he said he had fallen, but after I pressed him, he admitted that he had been punched by an older student the day before while wiping tables at the canteen.

“My son also told me that he had been kicked in the back, causing bruising. I immediately contacted a religious teacher at the tahfiz school, but the teacher told me that he did not know about the incident,” he told reporters here today.

Syamsul Azrin said he and his wife subsequently lodged a police report on the same day before taking their son to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for further examination.

“The medical examination results showed that my son only suffered bruising, but what is upsetting is that he is traumatised and does not want to return to school because he is afraid of the older student who bullied him.

“Previously, I had noticed bruises on his body and a bump on his head, but my son said he had fallen. So, my wife and I left it at that, but he later told us that he had been punched, kicked and had his head pressed against the stairs by the same older student,” he said.

Syamsul Azrin said he and his wife were also dissatisfied with the school’s decision to dismiss their son following the incident, while the older student was only suspended.

Meanwhile, Kota Setar District Police Chief ACP Syed Basri Syed Ali said the case was being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code, and police had recorded a statement from the older student.

“We are waiting for the victim’s medical report from the doctor before any further action is taken,” he said. — Bernama