The 38-year old identified as Mogan said his daughter had never gone through something like this before.

“She came back crying and sent my wife a five-minute voice note, saying she does not want to go back to school,” he said, adding that the 13-year old was depressed after being humiliated in front of everyone in school.

He said this at a press conference here. Also present was DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng who had promised to help Mogan with the matter.

Earlier today, FMT reported that the Form 1 student claimed that she was told by a senior teacher to kneel with her hands up during a school assembly on Tuesday as punishment.

She also claimed her kayiru, or holy string, was cut. The teenager later lodged a report at the Tasek Gelugor police station.

Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow has called on the state education department to investigate the student’s claim, while G25 has urged the education authorities to clear the air over the allegation.

Mogan urged the education ministry to suspend the teacher.

“I don’t want this to happen to others. This should never happen in a Malaysian school, where people of all races mingle and study,” he said.

Lim said the complaint is serious and should be investigated urgently, as it was a matter of public interest.

“There must be a free and fair investigation into this,” he said.

Lim said as parent, he understands Mogan’s plight, and his want for his daughter to study in a safe environment.

“I have personally contacted the education minister in urging him to take swift action,” he said, adding that his office had hired a counsellor for Mogan’s daughter.

FMT has reached out to the state education director and the school involved for comment.