SEREMBAN: Azizan Manap, 44, was seen wiping away tears as soon as he was discharged by the Seremban Magistrate's Court here today, from a charge of assaulting a pupil in April this year.
Magistrate Mohd Zaki Abd Rahman made the decision after deputy public prosecutor Hazeelya Muhammad informed that the prosecution had received instructions from the Attorney-General's Chambers to withdraw the charge.
More than 300 supporters, who waited outside the court, cheered as soon as Azizan appeared after the decision was meted out by the magistrate.
Clad in a blue shirt, Azizan, better known as Cikgu Azizan, said he had forgiven the pupil and the pupil's family behind the court case. He said he also prayed for the student's wellbeing in the future.
"I forgive my student. I hold no grudge against him and his family members. I sincerely hope that he will be a good son to his parents," he said.
Azizan had arrived at the court at 8.30am, accompanied by National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Kamarozaman Abd Razakin and other NUTP members, Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) president, Datuk Azih Muda, as well as family members and fellow teachers.
He appeared calm and composed despite being shouted at by a man, believed to be a family member of the defendant, who was waiting outside the court.
"I want to thank everyone who has been supporting me from day one. NUTP, family members, fellow teachers nationwide and everyone, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much.
"I take this episode with a pinch of salt and it will not dampen my spirit to continue educate my students to help them become better people," he said.
Azizan, who was the school senior assistant in charge of student affairs, said, he looked forward to resuming his duty as a teacher.
On whether he would return to SK Taman Semarak, Azizan said, he would let the Education Ministry decide on the matter.
According to the charge sheet, Azizan, a teacher from Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Semarak Nilai, had allegedly assaulted an 11-year-old pupil at the school's assembly area on Apr 6 at 7am.
He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code which deals with punishment for voluntarily causing hurt, on Oct 31 at the Magistrate's Court here.
Azizan was represented by lawyer Francis Pereira.