KUALA LUMPUR - Two students were beaten by a group of thugs believed to be triad members outside their school for refusing to pay protection money.

The boys from SMK Tasek Permai had just left their school compound to return home when the incident took place at 1.30pm on Monday.

The teenagers, who were punched and beaten with sticks and a thick rotan, suffered bruises on their back, hand, neck and head. A friend who came to their aid was also beaten and suffered head injuries.

Ng Wai Hao,and Chick Jin Han, both 15, said they were approached by a group of men last Thursday who threatened and demanded that they pay protection money.

"We refused. We did not expect them to show up outside the school on Monday and beat us for not giving them the money.

"There were seven men on Thursday and about 20 on Monday," Jin Han said at Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat's service centre here yesterday, It was organised by Ong's special officer Cindy Leong.

A police report has been lodged over the incident.

- The Star/Asia News Network