Kajang police chief Naazron Abdul Yusof said the video, which began circulating on Instagram yesterday, was posted by a social media user and that it had triggered public concern.

“A 40-year-old female teacher from a school in Kajang lodged a police report the same day, denying involvement in the incident and requesting a full investigation to establish the facts,” he said in a statement today.

No reports have been lodged by the girl’s parents or the alleged victim so far.

Police are investigating the case under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a fine of up to RM50,000, a prison sentence of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

The case is also being probed under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misuse of network facilities.

Education minister Fadhlina Sidek was reported to have said yesterday that her ministry would investigate the incident, which she described as regrettable, especially since a recording of it had been widely shared, affecting the community.

The video, in which the pupil was allegedly forced to confess to things she had not done, was sent to her mother, who attempted to take the teacher to task on WhatsApp.

Fadhlina said she had asked education director-general Azman Adnan to look into the matter as well, as it involved teachers’ integrity and ethics.