Kedah: A couple have claimed that their nine-year-old son was bullied by a 15-year-old student at his school, leaving him with bruises on several parts of his body and face.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim's father, Syamsul Azrin Man, 45, said he only discovered what had happened to his only child when he picked him up from a tahfiz school hostel here for a week-long holiday on July 30. Initially, the boy claimed he had fallen, but under further questioning from his father, he admitted to being punched by an older student the day before while wiping tables at the canteen. The child also revealed that he had been kicked in the back, leading to more bruising.

Syamsul Azrin immediately reached out to a religious teacher at the tahfiz school, who was unaware of the incident. Unsatisfied with the school's response, Syamsul Azrin and his wife filed a police report and took their son to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for a medical examination. The examination confirmed the boy had only suffered bruising, but the emotional trauma has left him fearful of returning to school.

The father expressed distress over previous instances where his son had unexplained bruises and a bump on his head, which the child had attributed to falling. However, he later disclosed that these injuries were also the result of being bullied by the same older student. Syamsul Azrin and his wife are particularly upset with the school's decision to dismiss their son while the older student received only a suspension.

Meanwhile, Kota Setar District Police Chief ACP Syed Basri Syed Ali stated that the case is being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code. A statement has been recorded from the older student, and the authorities await the victim's medical report before proceeding with further action.