LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA: As punishment for being caught with a cigarette and a lighter in his locker, a Form Four student of SMK Langkawi, Pulau Tuba, was forced to smoke 42 cigarettes by the hostel warden.

Mohd Alif Arifin, 16, said his punishment was witnessed by other teachers and students.

"It went on for more than two hours. I was forced to smoke four cigarettes at a time until I finished 42 cigarettes."

He said he didn't know the cigarette was in his locker, but his denials were not heeded.

After the incident, he was sent home to his aunt and uncle in Kampung Selat, Bagan Nyiur, here, who have looked after him since the death of his parents.

His aunt Faridah Mat Zain said: "The school told me he wasn't feeling well. He was coughing continuously and he was very quiet. But two days later, I noticed his lips were swollen and got him to tell me what happened. He couldn't eat for five days."

He was taken to a clinic which referred him to Langkawi Hospital, she said.

Alif's uncle, Husni Mat Zain, lodged a report at the Kuah district police headquarters on July 29.

Deputy district police chief Deputy Superintendent Harrith Kam Abdullah said: "We arranged a meeting between the warden, a committee member of the parent-teacher association and the school principal. The warden asked for forgiveness and the family accepted, so we consider the case closed now."

He said it is up to the state education department to decide the appropriate action.

The assistant director of the district education department, Halid Ali, confirmed he had received a complaint about the incident, and said the warden's action was not appropriate.

The case was still under probe, he said, and the findings would be sent to the state education department.