Stop pointing fingers at religious school - Mohd Zahid Mahmood

The public should stop pointing fingers to the school involved in the beating of 11-year-old tahfiz student in Kota Tinggi recently, until investigation results are revealed by the authorities.

National Institut of Tahfiz Al-Quran President Mohd Zahid Mahmood said he will be happy to work with the school and will be taking legal advice, if necessary.

Mohd Zahid said the institute’s Johor President has viewed the CCTV footage of the incident and found that the assistant warden has only hit the students on one of his legs and on the sole of his foot.

He also urged the public not to label Tahfiz schools as abusive based on this incident.

He added that the society should give space to the authorities to carry out their investigations well.

Commenting on teachers and staff intake into tahfiz schools, Mohd Zahid said a Tahfiz Teacher Excellence Center will be set up.

Meanwhile, he advised Tahfiz schools to always check the medical records of each and every students when they enrol to avoid problems in the future.

Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi, had both his legs amputated below the knees after he was allegedly beaten with a rubber hose by the warden.

Mohamad Thaqif has reportedly been comatose for the past three days after his legs were amputated.

On Monday, the assistant warden was remanded for four days until Wednesday to help investigations.

Kota Tinggi police chief ACP Rahmat Othman said the assistant warden was convicted for theft and jailed 30 months about three years ago.