THE education ministry will not stop teachers from gathering at a court in Seremban tomorrow to support a colleague who is set to go on trial for allegedly abusing a student, according to Bernama.

Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said gathering at the courthouse was the right of the individuals, and will not go against the teacher’s code of ethics.

“If the teachers want to gather, or go to court to support their colleague, that is their right, it involves human emotions.

“For example, if our fellow kampung resident is brought to court, I’m sure the other residents from the kampung will be there.

“Same goes if a family member is brought to court, the family members and relatives will be present,” he said, according to the Berita Harian online portal.

Local reports today said 200 teachers are expected to be present at the Magistrate’s Court in Seremban tomorrow to show solidarity with a teacher from Sekolah Rendah Taman Semarak, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan who will go on trial on criminal charges for disciplining a student.

The teacher, known as Cikgu Azizan, allegedly slapped a student whom he claimed had repeatedly committed several disciplinary offences, including sniffing glue, fighting, playing truant and bullying other students.

The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has said it will not organise any protests, but will be present at the courthouse as a sign of solidarity with Cikgu Azizan, according to its secretary-general Harry Tan Huat Hock.

“No picketing, no demonstration… we are teachers,” Tan was quoted as saying.

Earlier news reports stated that Cikgu Azizan is charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code on October 31. If found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of one year’s prison and a fine of RM2,000.

He was previously released on bail. – December 18, 2017.