JERLUN: A primary school pupil in Ayer Hitam has claimed that she is suffering from spinal problems after she became the target of three bullies since last year.
The 9-year-old, who wanted to be known only as Angah, said she was frequently kicked in the back and thighs, apart from being extorted at her school.
She said because her pocket money was often taken by the bullies, she had to get money from her elder sister, aged 11, who studies in the same school.
“The three bullies are two girls and a boy. They often tease and insult me, saying my father is crazy and my clothes are dirty or unwashed. Then they will force me to give them money, between RM1 and RM4. One of them always kicks me in the back or my thighs,” she said.
Angah was speaking after a visit by state police psychological officer Wan Su Haron at her home in Kampung Gerbi Kubang Sepat.
She claimed the back pains had made it difficult for her to walk.
She was also said to be suffering from stress and has refused to go to school.
Her 32-year-old mother, who wanted to be known only as Asma, said she had noticed that Angah was not walking properly in June.
Asma said she brought Angah to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, where her daughter underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and X-ray between July 15 and 22.
“The doctor said her spine is bent, perhaps due to being hit but did not rule out other possible factors. She can’t walk for too long, and sometimes my husband and I have to carry her. Her back appears red and swollen. I feel sad every time I look at her in this condition,” said Asma.
Angah, she said, was scheduled to undergo surgery at the hospital on Aug 27, adding that a report had been lodged at the Kubang Pasu police headquarters over the bullying incident.
State Education and Human Resources Committee chairman Dr Salmee Said said she was shocked by the claims, adding that she would ask the state Education Department to launch an investigation.