Autopsy report vindicates tahfiz school: Principal

KOTA TINGGI: The autopsy report of Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Ghaddafi is proof that the tahfiz school he attended does not subject its students to abuse.
The principal of Madrasah Tahfiz Al Jauhar (MTAJ) Ustaz Mohammad Afdhaluddin Ismail said the management of the school was relieved after reading about media reports that Mohamad Thaqif had succumbed to leptospirosis (infection by rat urine), and not injuries from alleged abuse by an assistant warden at the school in April.
During a press conference held at the school today, he also showed CCTV recordings of the former assistant warden using a water pipe to beat the foot of every student during a night gathering.
Mohammad Afdhaluddin said the school has a SOP on caning students, where only the principal is allowed to use the rotan.
"But I never use it. It is only used as a last resort. Nobody has a rotan, that is why the assistant warden used a water pipe to cane the students.
"I only came to know about the canning on March 30, when Thaqif’s mum came to see me and took him home.
"I didn't have a chance to give her a proper explanation," he said.
Mohammad Afdhaluddin said the following day he reprimanded the assistant warden for disciplining the students and told him that his duty was only to deal with emergency situations at night.
He said the man had worked as a cleaner at the school since early 2016 and was appointed as an assistant warden after nine months.
"I didn't know of his prison record when he joined us. Otherwise, I would not have hired him," he said.
Mohammad Afdhaluddin said after finding out the man had been jailed two months for cable theft, the school management started monitoring him.
Commenting on Mohamad Thaqif's leptospirosis infection, he said the school may impose health screenings for new intakes in the future.
He said personnel from the state health department had conducted a spot check on the school in April.
“We did not receive any official results from the checks, but through our conversation with the medical team, I feel they are satisfied with the school," he said.
Meanwhile, newly appointed state CID chief Senior Asst Comm Azman Ayob said the case is not closed yet.
“We are going to forward the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor for further consideration," he said.