High Court dismisses RM1mil civil suit over school chair prank

In a Shah Alam High Court decision, a RM1 million civil suit against six individuals for a 2023 school chair prank has been dismissed. The plaintiff, a teenage girl with cerebral palsy, and her parents claimed negligence and a causal link between the alleged lack of supervision and her injury. However, the court ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove negligence and the necessary causal link.

Judicial Commissioner Anita Harun noted that the first defendant admitted to being the only teacher present, but the evidence did not establish the supervision arrangement as unreasonable. The teenager herself conceded that the fall occurred quickly, without a preceding quarrel. Despite the plaintiff's injury and the burden on her family, the court found that they had not proven negligence and a causal link sufficient for liability.

The court ordered the plaintiffs to pay RM10,000 in costs to all six defendants. The case was filed by the teenager's father on behalf of himself, his wife, and their daughter. The defendants include three teachers, the headmistress, the education ministry, and the government. The plaintiff's lawyer has indicated that they will appeal the decision, claiming that several arguments were not raised.