Religious school teacher receives 10-year prison term for assaulting student

In a Rawang courtroom, Judge Norshila Kamaruddin sentenced 63-year-old teacher Halim Haron to ten years behind bars for a sexual offence against a 16-year-old student at a religious primary school. The court also ordered Halim to undergo counselling during his imprisonment and placed him under police supervision for two years after his release. The abuse took place on 26 February 2022 when the boy arrived for a purported “religious treatment” session, only to be assaulted.

The victim disclosed the attack to his mother, who promptly reported it to police, resulting in Halim’s arrest that night. Halim’s defence claimed the encounter was a legitimate religious practice, but the judge found his testimony insufficient to create reasonable doubt. The judgment emphasized the breach of trust and the need for schools to remain safe environments for children.