Four slaps, lasting trauma: Retired teacher ordered to pay RM88k

A retired secondary school history teacher in Malaysia has been ordered to pay RM88,069 in damages for assaulting a 14-year-old student by slapping him four times in a classroom lesson seven years ago. The incident occurred on Jan 28, 2019, when the teacher, Isamuddin Ismail, then the school's senior assistant for administration, entered the classroom from behind and struck the student multiple times on his face and both cheeks.

The student, now 21-year-old Mohamad Adam Maidin, experienced hearing problems in his right ear, including mild to moderate mixed hearing loss, as well as facial and ear pain, dizziness, and ringing in his ears. He was referred to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia for specialist treatment after his mother noticed he appeared pale and distressed after the incident.

The High Court in Kota Bharu found that Isamuddin had a duty of care towards his students and ruled that the teacher was negligent in his actions. The award of RM88,069 comprised general damages, special damages, exemplary damages, aggravated damages, interest, and costs. The plaintiff's lawyer argued that the court should also hold the school principal, the Director-General of Education, and the Malaysian Government liable for the incident.