By Nadia Badarudin

Aloe Star, Malaysia - For refusing to give his classmate 50 sen (S$0.20), a Year One pupil was punched in the face and slashed with a penknife on Monday.

Muhammad Amir Amri, 7, was waiting for his father at the school canteen in Jalan Tanjung Bendahara when the incident occurred at 1pm.

"I was about to buy some food when a classmate demanded some money. I only had 50 sen and when I refused, he punched me and then threatened to take my pencil box, which I had left in my classroom," Amir said at his home yesterday.

He said when the bully ran off towards the classroom, he followed, thinking the boy would steal his pencil box.

"I tried to stop him but he put his hand into my pocket to try to take the coin. He then pulled down my trousers, took out a penknife and slashed my private parts," he said.

Amir claimed a few boys saw the incident but were too afraid to come to his aid.

"Although I felt a sharp pain, I did not scream for help because I was too afraid."

His father, Amri Rod @ Jamil, 41, said he was shocked to find a bloodstain on Amir's trousers when he picked him up.

"I took my son to the staff-room but the teachers were unaware of the incident."

He met the attacker's mother shortly after but she appeared indifferent.

"I asked her son about the incident but he denied it."

A teacher took Amir to a clinic but he was referred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital where he received several stitches.

Amri later lodged a report at the Kota Setar police station. -NST