Sarawak teacher nabbed for molesting two boys

KUCHING: Sarawak police have arrested a secondary school teacher here for allegedly molesting two male students.

State police commissioner Comm Datuk Mancha Ata said the suspect, in his 40s, was detained after the victims' parents lodged reports on Sunday (Nov 12).

"The parents alleged that their children were molested by the teacher, who is also the warden of the boys' hostel at the school," he told a press conference at state police headquarters here on Tuesday (Nov 14).

Comm Mancha said the case was being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 for physical sexual assault on a child, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' jail and whipping upon conviction.

He said that as the suspect was in a relationship of trust with the 15-year-old victims, who were under his supervision, Section 16 of the same Act provided for an additional penalty of five years' jail and at least two strokes of the cane.

"The public is advised to be on the alert for sexual offences against children as this can have a long-term impact on their mental and emotional health," Comm Mancha said.

He added that failure to provide information on sexual offences against children was punishable by a maximum fine of RM5,000 under Section 19 of the Act.

According to the police reports, the alleged incidents took place last year.

One of the victims claimed that he was summoned by the suspect for making a mistake and the suspect then touched him inappropriately.

The second victim was said to have been brought to the suspect's quarters as he had a fever and alleged to have been molested there.