Teacher accepted suit by student as ‘lesson’, witness tells court
Published on: Saturday, March 09, 2024
By: Cynthia D Baga
Teacher Nurhaizah Ejab, 39, who further testified in the civil suit against English teacher Mohd Jainal Jamran (JJ), said on Nov 5, 2018 while in the principal’s room, JJ had apologised to her and also Siti Nafirah Siman (the student who filed the suit).
Kota Kinabalu: A witness said the English teacher who was sued by his former student for allegedly failing to enter class to teach the subject nine years ago had said that the civil suit against him was a “Hidayah” (lesson) for him.
Teacher Nurhaizah Ejab, 39, who further testified in the civil suit against English teacher Mohd Jainal Jamran (JJ), said on Nov 5, 2018 while in the principal’s room, JJ had apologised to her and also Siti Nafirah Siman (the student who filed the suit).
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“While in the room in the present of principal, JJ and me, JJ cried and confessed that he did not enter 4PD class.
“He said he did not blame Siti Nafirah for filing the suit against him, in fact he said he was very grateful that the suit happened.
“JJ said the civil suit was a “Hidayah” for him as he has not been in class all this time,” said Nurhaizah.
Nurhaizah was testifying before High Court Judge Datuk Ismail Brahim, during the hearing of the suit filed by Siti Nafirah against JJ as first defendant, for allegedly failing to enter class to teach the English subject to students in SMK Tau Gusi.
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Among others defendants in the suit were Principal Suid Hanapi (in his capacity as Principal of SMK Taun Gusi), SMK Taun Gusi, Kota Belud District Education Officer, Sabah Education Director, Director General of Education Malaysia, Minister of Education and Government of Malaysia, who were named as second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eight defendant.
The plaintiff is seeking, among others, a declaration that the eight defendants breached their statutory duty under the Education Act by failing to ensure that she is taught the English language from Feb to Oct 2015 and prepare her for examinations as prescribed under the Education Act.
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Nurhaizah further testified that after the suit went viral, JJ lso expressed his regret for not entering class.
According to Nurhaizah, JJ also met her on Nov 7, 2018 and said he wanted to support the plaintiff Siti Nafirah.
“JJ said he was willing to be a witness for the defendant who forged the documents and he no longer wanted to be involved in the falsification of documents directed by other defendants after the suit came out.
“He informed me that he had contacted another lawyer and had arranged a meeting in the afternoon because he wanted to be tried separately and did not want to be together with the other defendants.
“JJ also asked me to meet with the principal to prove that the principal had also ordered him to forge the signature on the 2015 control book and asked me to record the meeting with the principal,” said Nurhaizah.
Counsel Shireen Sikayun represented Siti Nafirah while Senior Federal Counsel Jesseca Daimis and Federal Counsel Mohd Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir acted for the defendants.
Counsel Datin Mary Florence Gomez (Sabah Law Society’s Women and Children’s Rights Sub-Committee Chairperson) and Yannik Mohd Annuar are holding a watching brief for Suhakam.
Trial continues on April 22-23.
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