KUCHING: A school-leaver accused of punching the forehead of his former teacher defended his action at a magistrates’ court yesterday.

Lee Huan Lung, 20, now working in a restaurant, testified that the teacher, Rahamat Kasah, was the one who struck the first blow, using a wire-tipped two-and-a-half-foot rotan, to hit him on the arm.

Lee, who is represented by counsels Wong King Wei and Alvin Yong, appeared before Magistrate Afidah Abdul Rahman yesterday. He allegedly assaulted the teacher at 6.45 am on July 26 2006 at SMK Tun Abdul Razak, Mile 24 Kuching-Serian road.

Referring to his sworn statement, Lee argued that the first strike hit him on the right arm.

The teacher then stared at him and challenged him: “Mau lawan, kah?” (Want to fight?), the accused said, claiming the teacher repeated the challenge two to three times.

Lee claimed that he did not respond to the challenge but the teacher used the rotan to poke the top of his head causing it to bleed.

He said he had to push the teacher away to prevent further attack, and in the ensuing struggle they both fell to the ground.

The defence also called Lee’s former classmate Nicholas Chong to support his (Lee) testimony yesterday.

The magistrate fixed Nov 14 for hearing of the defence submission.

Earlier, prosecuting officer Chief Inspector Ahmad Illias had called Rahamat, another teacher and a security guard to testify against Lee.

After the fight, Rahamat immediately lodged a police report. Lee made his report later the same day. Several days later Lee approached the State Democratic Action Party for assistance.

According to Wong, no police investigation had been conducted so far, let alone drawing of a charge and prosecution been made in regards to Lee’s report.

Lee initially pleaded not guilty to the charge on Nov 1, 2007.

The offence, provided under Section 323 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail or with a fine of up to RM2,000 or both, upon conviction.

He is currently released on RM3,000 bail in two sureties pending the conclusion of the case.