By ANN TAN

NIBONG TEBAL, MALAYSIA - A teacher who ticked off three students ended up being slapped and attacked with plastic chairs.

South Seberang Prai OCPD Supt Shafien Mamat said the teacher slapped one of the students on his face and he slapped her back.

He said the SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman teacher lodged a report on Tuesday, claiming she was attacked by the 16-year-old students.

'According to her, she was teaching a class when the group from another class came in and started making noise.'

'She asked them to leave and not disturb the class but they defied her by raising their voice and asking what she could do to them if they refused to leave,' he said.

Supt Shafien said the teacher then slapped one of the students. They retaliated by throwing chairs at her.

The three students have been suspended for two weeks pending a police investigation.

It is learnt that they have received demerit points on several occasions for various offences in school.

Supt Shafien said police were investigating the case for criminal intimidation and causing hurt.

State Education director Ibrahim Mohamad said the students' parents could appeal against the suspension.

The principal of SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman, who only wanted to be known as Ng, said the teacher suffered slight injuries and had been on medical leave for the past two days.

State NUTP branch chairman Lim Ming Tzong @ Adam Alim Abdullah said he hoped the students would be expelled.

'It is sad that many school heads, instead of taking strong action againts students with disciplinary problems, ask them to transfer to another school instead,' he said.