Wednesday, January 01, 2025

Making Children Do ‘Ketuk Ketampi’ Is TORTURE And Police Perpetrators Must Be Brought To Justice

 

Media Statement – 2/1/2025

Making Children Do ‘Ketuk Ketampi’ Is TORTURE And Police Perpetrators Must Be Brought To Justice

21 Teenagers disciplined on the spot with a series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats) by law enforcement is WRONG – only the tried and convicted deserve to be punished according to law

Police did wrong and broke the law when they prematurely ‘punished’ a group of 21 teenagers, aged 14 to 17, who allegedly breached the law by asking them to do a series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats). This is also considered to be torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and it certainly was not in accordance to law.

‘…Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the teenagers were riding modified bicycles that lacked essential safety features such as brakes, bells, and lights. They were also riding dangerously and engaging in competitive behavior. He explained that their actions violated the Road Traffic Rules (Rule 42) LN 165/59, which could result in the confiscation of their bicycles under Section 112 of the Road Transport Act 1987. “However, a senior traffic enforcement officer, together with a Road Transport Department (RTD) officer, opted to issue a stern warning and discipline the teenagers by requiring them to perform ‘ketuk ketampi’ as a form of advocacy and deterrence,Malaysiakini(BERNAMA), 2/1/2024

A group of 21 teenagers, aged 14 to 17, were caught riding bicycles recklessly during a roadblock on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Kuala Lumpur yesterday as part of Operation New Year's Eve 2025 and they were disciplined on the spot with a series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats).

Police and law enforcement duties are only to arrest and investigate, and NOT punish alleged law-breakers by any form of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Verbal reprimand and/or advice may be acceptable, but certainly no form of degrading treatment or punishment. Can even punishment or such treatment be visited upon children by law enforcement, without the knowledge and/or consent of parents?

MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture) calls that the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa, the said senior traffic enforcement officer, together with the said Road Transport Department (RTD) officer to be forthwith investigated and charged in court for, amongst others, these crimes against children, that reasonably must be  torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Note also the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.

When children are subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, criminal action must be taken against the perpetrator. We are also appalled with the delay in the criminal action against  the teacher who ‘punished’ students by making them stand under the hot sun – a 11-year-old student who suffered a heatstroke after being forced to stand in the sun for nearly three hours has since been diagnosed with a nerve condition and is now considered a person with disabilities (PwD).(The Sun, 30/5/2024)

We recall another incident where a teacher forced students to do ‘ketuk ketampi’ that resulted in fracture of the knee. "However, my son and several other students were summoned the next day for missing school. They were ordered to 'ketuk ketampi' for 30 times as a form of punishment," she said. Azlina said her son, whose knee was still healing, was unable to complete the squats and complained of pain. His claims, however, were ignored by the teacher, who instead punched him in the chest after accusing him of lying.(NST, 4/2/2023)

In this yesterday’s case, the BERNAMA report indicates that after the series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats), ‘the teenagers then shook hands and apologized to the officers at the scene. the teens were warned against further reckless behavior and instructed to return home immediately.’ Were the parents of these children informed? Did the law enforcement even fix an appointment to check that the illegalities in their bicycle are remedied? If the said teenagers continue to ride those bicycles, would not these law enforcement officers be accomplices of crime?

As abovementioned, this is a serious case where law enforcement officers acted illegally when they caused children to suffer torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and the government must act to avoid a wrong perception that this government protects government employees. Secret disciplinary actions will not do – the perpetrators need to charged for their crimes.

MADPET reiterates the calls to amend the Federal Constitution to include the provision that ‘No person shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment save in accordance with law’. A clear proclamation of Malaysia’s stance on torture, etc.

MADPET also calls for the teacher that ‘punished’ students by making them stand under hot sun be also charged in court for the crime. Likewise all other teachers and care givers that caused children to suffer torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, should be promptly and transparently charged and tried in court.

MADPET also ask that “ketuk ketampi” be deemed as a corporal punishment, and shall not be used as a form of punishment on children anywhere, and by anyone. The Minister of Education and the Children Human Rights Commissioners should speak out for an end of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against children anywhere, and demand that perpetrators are promptly charged in court and accorded a fair trial.

 

Charles Hector

For and on behalf of MADPET (Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture)

 

Teens disciplined with squats for reckless cycling on NYE
 

 

 

Bernama
Published:  Jan 2, 2025 8:50 AM
A group of 21 teenagers, aged 14 to 17, were caught riding bicycles recklessly during a roadblock on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Kuala Lumpur yesterday as part of Operation New Year's Eve 2025 and they were disciplined on the spot with a series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats).

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the teenagers were riding modified bicycles that lacked essential safety features such as brakes, bells, and lights. They were also riding dangerously and engaging in competitive behaviour.

He explained that their actions violated the Road Traffic Rules (Rule 42) LN 165/59, which could result in the confiscation of their bicycles under Section 112 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

“However, a senior traffic enforcement officer, together with a Road Transport Department (RTD) officer, opted to issue a stern warning and discipline the teenagers by requiring them to perform ‘ketuk ketampi’ as a form of advocacy and deterrence,” he said in a statement today.

The teenagers then shook hands and apologised to the officers at the scene. They were warned against further reckless behaviour and instructed to return home immediately.

Zamzuri noted that a video of the incident had gone viral on social media, garnering widespread praise from netizens for the approach taken by the police and RTD. 

“This approach serves as a warning to the teenagers involved, deterring them from repeating such offences. Advocacy efforts like this also help raise awareness and enhance young offenders' understanding of road safety laws,” he said.

Zamzuri urged young people to avoid reckless behaviour on the roads, emphasising the importance of preventing injuries and fatalities.

“Parents and guardians must play a proactive role by closely monitoring their children to ensure they do not engage in activities that violate the law,” he said.

- Bernama, Malaysiakini, 2/1/2025

 

Year Five pupil fractures knee after 'ketuk ketampi' punishment

TANAH MERAH: A Year Five pupil here is believed to have fractured his left knee after being forced to do 'ketuk ketampi' (squats) by his teacher as a form of punishment.

The incident left the boy traumatised and afraid to return to school even though the school authorities have offered their apologies.

The boy's mother, who only wished to be known as Azlina, 36, said her son, who is the third of four siblings, had initially sustained a fracture at the knee after falling down while playing football three months ago.

She said a scan at a private clinic showed a clear fracture. The doctor has advised her son not to do any strenuous physical activities.

"He also missed many classes due to his injury. I had also updated his teachers on his condition," she said.

Azlina said the latest incident was on January 8, when her son missed school due to a bout of diarrhoea. She said she informed the teachers of the matter in a WhatsApp group.

"However, my son and several other students were summoned the next day for missing school. They were ordered to 'ketuk ketampi' for 30 times as a form of punishment," she said.

Azlina said her son, whose knee was still healing, was unable to complete the squats and complained of pain.

His claims, however, were ignored by the teacher, who instead punched him in the chest after accusing him of lying.

Later that day, at 10.3am, the family received a phone call from the school, asking them to fetch the boy as he had complained of pain in his knee.

Azlina's father went to fetch his grandson and was shocked to see the boy in bad shape. He even had to carry the boy to his motorcycle.

"Later that night, he complained of more pain and I wanted to bring him to the hospital. However, the school authorities asked me to postpone the visit as he had an exam coming up.

"Soon after, a representative from the school came to apologise and admit that they had been too rough with him. They also handed over a sum of money as a contribution," she said.

Azlina said that on January 22, she brought her son to the Tanah Merah Hospital. The doctors there referred him to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Bharu, where he underwent surgery," she said.

She said even though the incident left her son traumatised, the family did not wish to make the issue bigger than it is. However, she admitted to being disappointed after hearing rumours claiming that the school was not to blame for the incident.

She said she would be lodging a police report soon on the incident to prepare for any possibility.

"It's just a way of safeguarding our interests and not to land anyone in trouble. We were made to understand that the teacher in question has been transferred to another primary school in the district," she said. - NST, 4/2/2023

 

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