Former Kelantan Kafa teacher gets RM2,000 fine for kicking Year Five pupil in face during class

In a recent court ruling, former Religious and Fardu Ain Class (Kafa) teacher Abdullah Mustakim has been fined RM2,000 by the Magistrate's Court for striking a Year Five pupil in the face during a classroom session. The incident occurred around 2.30 pm on October 23, 2024, when Abdullah, then 33 years old, kicked the pupil in the face, resulting in injuries to the child's gums.

The magistrate, Rais Imran Hamid, imposed the maximum fine of RM2,000, with the additional option of a four-month jail term for default payment. Abdullah pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which allows for a one-year prison sentence, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction. Prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mazlinda Mohd Nor, Abdullah, who now earns RM1,000 monthly as a laborer to support his wife and three young children, was represented by lawyer Farazalila Fauzi from the National Legal Aid Foundation.

The girl's mother reported the incident to her upon returning from a night market at approximately 5.15 pm on the same day Abdullah had made contact with the pupil.