A local MCA leader has apologised to the principal of SMK Pekan Nanas for his son's behaviour which nearly resulted in a racial riot in the Johor town.

According to Sin Chew Daily , the former councillor identified in his Chinese name as Guo Yun Ji met principal Zainab Johari at her office yesterday. His son Guo Pei En was however not present.

pekan nanas incident peaceful end 230409 The report stated that Guo admitted that his son should have resolved the matter amicably instead of resorting to violence. He also added that his son was short tempered.

"After learning that my son had assaulted a teacher who is highly regarded in the Malay society, I would like to apologise for my son's action. The teacher was only trying to mediate," he said.

Yun Ji then shook hands with Zainab. Several state education department officers were also at the meeting.

The problem started when the teacher's son, a Form Five student at SMK Pekan Nanas, had slapped Pei En's son, who is in Form One, after an accidental brushing of shoulders on April 20.

Following this, Pei En brought three friends to the school in order to settle the dispute but was stopped by the teacher.

Apparently a fight broke out between the two, and the teacher lodged a police report later claiming that he sustained injuries to his face, chest and back.

Police station surrounded

When news of the incident broke out, an angry mob of about 1,000 surrounded the Pekan Nanas police station, where Pei En was brought in for questioning.

crowd surround pekan nenas police station 210409 nanyang Scuffles erupted between the angry crowd and the police when Pei En was being transferred to the Pontian district police headquarters in a van.

According to media reports, the police station was locked up and a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) squad was deployed to prevent the crowd from storming the police station.

Following the incident, SMS messages were circulated among Pekan Nanas residents warning them of racial tensions and not to leave their house.

The police are investigating the slapping incident under Section 323 of the Penal Code while the father is being investigated for trespassing and causing offence in a group.

In a related development, Pei En was charged with four counts of trespassing and causing offence in a group at the Pontian Magistrate's Court.

He has claimed trial and posted bail that was set at RM8,500.

Whereas, the Form Five student was charged in the juvenile court for assault.