GEORGE TOWN, Aug. 22 -- The Penang Education Department has taken precautionary steps to protect a 12-year-old boy while investigating a complaint that he was allegedly assaulted by a teacher at a school in the Northeast district.

The department said the teacher no longer has direct contact with the pupil, who has also been referred to the school's Guidance and Counselling teacher for appropriate support and intervention, Harian Metro reported today.

"As a protective and preventive measure, the teacher no longer has direct interaction with the pupil," Penang Education Department director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad was quoted as saying.

He said the Northeast Penang District Education Office was conducting the investigation and would tak...