Kosmo quoted a member of a childcare centre’s management as saying the 10-year-old boy was punished by the teacher after a disagreement with another pupil at the school’s computer lab.

The centre’s spokesman said the boy claimed he was slapped and punched on the face by the teacher, and that the teacher also dragged him by the hair to the centre’s office.

A police report was lodged by the centre’s management at the Larkin police station yesterday.

“Such actions do not educate the child but only harm him. As naughty as he may be, there are SOPs to follow.

“If the teacher were to use the rotan, that’s fine, as long as it’s according to the education ministry’s SOPs. It’s uncalled for to beat him up to the point of causing bruises,” said the spokesman.

Johor Bahru Selatan police chief Raub Selamat said the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, punishable by up to a year in prison, a maximum fine of RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.