KANGAR, MALAYSIA - A Form Two student has been suspended for a week to allow police to investigate her case of allegedly kicking her physics teacher. Perlis Education Department director Mansor Lat said the school's disciplinary board decided to suspend the female student during a meeting yesterday morning.

Mansor said only one student was suspended, although two students were believed involved during the argument on Thursday.

The other Form Two girl was actually trying to break up the argument.

"The school's disciplinary board had met with the two students and statements were recorded on Thursday.

"It was found that only one of them was involved. The other student was trying to break up the fight."

Mansor said the school had informed the state Education Department about the suspension.

He said the student's suspension would allow the police to conduct its investigation.

"We have to take this decision to enable the police to investigate. A final decision would be made once the investigation is completed," he said yesterday.

Physics teacher Azhana Ibrahim, 27, was allegedly kicked in the belly by a student in class at 10am, after she questioned the girl over a crude word which was written in her class project report.

In the handphone recording, a fight broke out between Azhana and the student, who was together with the other Form Two girl.

The teacher and students ended up in a shouting match and started hitting each other.

Azhana was allegedly kicked in the belly two to three times.

She suffered no physical injuries but was said to be traumatised by the incident.

It was learnt that Azhana had asked the two students several times to submit their physics project but to no avail.

When the duo did submit their reports, one of them had written the words gila babi (crazy swine) which was aimed at Azhana.

This prompted the teacher to advise the students and it led to an argument in front of a Form One class.

Asked to comment on the incident, Mansor said the state education department was disappointed over what had happened.

"I hope the incident will not be repeated because it paints a negative picture of the country's education sector."

Meanwhile, Kangar district police chief Superintendent Yusof Mohd Diah said police were in the midst of recording statements from the teacher and students.

Denying rumours that the incident was planned, Yusof said the incident occurred "spontaneously" and that the student may have reacted because of her "rebellious behaviour".

"We cannot be one-sided in this investigation.

"We will get statements from teachers and students."