AS the “period spot checks” issue rages on, the Education Ministry (MOE) has remained mum about it while political leaders from both sides of the political divide called for immediate action.
But now, two Perikatan Nasional allies have voiced their frustration over the matter, calling the MOE to act fast.
Wanita MIC chief SJ Usha Nadhini urged the authorities to action against the perpetrators as the latter have committed a crime against students.
“This is a crime and must be taken seriously. Action should be taken no matter whether they are teachers, prefects or warden.
“The perpetrators must be investigated under Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 354 of the Penal Code,” she told FocusM.
Malaysiakini recently reported that girls in multiple boarding and religious schools were subjected to “period spot checks” where they are told to physically prove they are menstruating through means which violate privacy.
The measures include showing their blood-soaked sanitary pads, doing swabs of their vagina with either cotton buds, tissue papers or their fingers, or having a teacher, warden or school prefect pat them down at the groin to feel if they are wearing a sanitary pad.
While many political big-wigs such as former Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching and non-governmental organisations (NGO) have expressed disgust over the matter, MOE has yet to issue a statement on it.
On that note, Usha said that no one should conduct such spot checks as it would humiliate a student and affect them psychologically.
“An educational institution should be a place of learning; where good values, culture and strength of character is instilled.
“Such actions by teachers in the name of discipline not only intrudes one’s privacy but it is also a form of sexual harassment,” she stated.
DAP politicising the matter
With that, Usha urged the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to hasten the tabling of Sexual Harassment Bill in order to protect the public from sexual exploitation of any kinds.
“And I urge the MOE to establish a special hotline for students to report such incidents directly to the authorities,” she added.
Meanwhile, Wanita MCA Heng Seai Kie criticised Teo, claiming the latter was politicising the case for asking Education Minister Radzi Md Jidin and his deputies to address the matter.
“Why is the Kulai MP now suddenly pointing arrows at the MOE? Wasn’t Teo a former deputy Education Minister herself?
“Is she harping on the issue as speculation is rife that the 15th general election may be called once the Emergency is lifted?” she asked.
Heng later urged the authorities to probe the case, calling for restraining order to be served on the alleged perpetrators to deter them from harassing the victims.
The MCA leader also echoed Usha’s sentiments on a dedicated hotline, and urged the authorities to keep victims’ identity confidential for protection.
“And the MOE must issue a clear guideline to prohibit ‘period spot checks’, where disciplinary action will be taken against school authorities found going against the guideline,” Heng remarked. – April 25, 2021.
Photo credit: MalaysiaKini
