BANTING, MALAYSIA - About 500 angry parents and other members of the Indian community gathered outside a secondary school here yesterday to stage a protest over racial slurs and abuse allegedly uttered by a teacher against Indian students recently.

The crowd began gathering outside SMK Telok Panglima Garang's main entrance near here from noon and dispersed about two hours later.

The headmaster was on leave so some teachers accepted on his behalf copies of the police reports made by a Form Four student and a Form Five student.

The police reports also alleged that the teacher had beaten some students.

Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs secretary Gunaraj George, who was among those who handed over the police reports, said that such abuse would only result in breeding hatred and racial polarisation in schools.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong said the teacher might be sacked if the allegations were proven true.

The allegations were serious as no one was allowed to insult others especially in school environment, said Dr Wee, who was asked to comment on the incident while visiting a nine-year-old accident victim at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru.

He added that the ministry was awaiting an official report.