Parents of children at SJK(C) Puay Chai 2 in Petaling Jaya have been paying fees to its parent-teacher association (PIBG) and also "security fees" demanded by the school, without being aware that they are not required to do so under the law.

Malaysiakini approached several parents outside the school, where an eight-year-old student was allegedly caned 12 times for failing to pay RM60 - RM20 for PIBG "activity" fees and RM40 as security fees and many parents said they were unaware that the fees were not compulsory.

One of the parents, who only wanted to be known as Chin, said he has two children, one in Standard 2 and other in Standard 6 at the school, and he was clueless as to whether the said fees were compulsory.

"The letters (sent to parents asking for payment), do not say if the fees are compulsory, but it feels like I must pay," Chin said, adding that the blame should not be placed on the teacher for caning the student...