Perkasa has reacted angrily to a case of alleged assault on a teacher of a primary school in Mersing, Johor: it wants the headmistress booted out.

The demand was made following an allegation that the headmistress of SJK(C) Pai Chee had attempted to transfer out a Malay teacher in the wake of the incident.

"The headmistress must apologise to the Malay teacher who fell victim (to the assault); the headmistress must be driven out ( dikeluarkan ) from Mersing," said Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

In the incident, Salina Daud , 49, a teacher in SJK(C) Pai Chee, claimed that she was assaulted by a parent. She also feared for the safety of herself and that of her two colleagues.

Salina lodged a police report, which went viral on the Internet and drew inflammatory comments from readers. However, Johor police said the incident should not be made into a racial issue.

Salina also alleged this is not the first time such an incident had occurred, and she went on to accuse the headmistress of having previously attempted to force the resignation or transfer of herself and two other Malay teachers.

"Strict action needs to be taken," Ibrahim said in a a text message to Malaysiakini .

The school authorities could not be reached for comment. The headmistress cut the phone line when informed that a reporter was calling.

Ibrahim said the incident warranted the attention of the authorities before it spreads and causes “further harm”.

Ibrahim: What is the intention?

He added that the incident would not have happened if the school had adopted a Malay-centric education system.

"Is Pai Chee Malay-centric or Chinese-centric? Being soft, gentle, polite and respectful of others are among the charecteristic of the Malays. This is Malay-centric," said Ibrahim.

This is not an isolated case, he said.

"If the allegation that they (the school) do not want Malay teachers (is true), what is intention?" he asked.

"What should we call such behaviour if not racist and chauvinist?"

He urged the Education Ministry to take brave and stern action to rectify the situation.

"If the education system in Malaysia continues to be a mess, this would endanger the future of the nation," he said.

Malaysiakini is attempting to contact the school headmaster and district Education Department for their comments.

Related report

Chinese school headmistress transferred after alleged racial incident