An opposition parliamentarian is calling for the government to take tougher action against a teacher alleged to have hurled a shoe at a primary school student in Negri Sembilan.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said the teacher should be brought to court and tried for intentionally assaulting the young girl.

“The law is clear. That would amount to intentional assault causing hurt which amounts to an offence under the Penal Code,” Gobind said in a statement yesterday.

In the incident on Thursday, it was reported that a male teacher in a primary school in Port Dickson had allegedly thrown his shoe at eight-year-old M Sharmini during moral lessons, causing her to require three stitches on her forehead.

It was claimed the teacher in question was upset as the girl was playing with her classmates during class.

Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan yesterday explained the male teacher had been transferred from the school pending ministry investigation and that the matter would also be referred to the disciplinary committee.

However, Gobind said the transfer and show cause letter were “not enough” in view of the seriousness of the alleged offence and as such, must not go unpunished.

“What happened is a very serious matter. People send their children to school believing that they will be safe and that the teachers in particular will protect them.

“Further, the act of assaulting a student using a shoe is in itself aggravating. It is considered highly derogatory and cannot be condoned,” said the DAP parliamentarian and lawyer.

Attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, he said, must personally ensure swift action against the teacher should investigations confirm an offence has been committed.