The Education Department on Wednesday dismissed as untrue a social media report that a senior assistant of a primary school in Kedah had asked non-Muslim pupils to drink their own urine.

Deputy director-general of education Datuk Ahmad Tajudin Jab said the pupils had misunderstood what the teacher had told them.

"The teacher had advised the non-Muslim pupils not to drink in the presence of Muslim pupils (during the current fasting month). He had said that they could drink outside or in the washroom.

"However, some pupils had misunderstood this and claimed that the teacher had ordered non-Muslim pupils to drink their own urine. The teacher had never said that. We have to clarify that. The pupils misunderstood," he told reporters at his office, here.

He said the senior assistant had made the statement during the school assembly, advising non-Muslim pupils not to drink in the presence of Muslim pupils.

Ahmad Tajudin said the State Education Department and the District Education Department were investigating the matter.

A meeting was held between the school administration and the pupils last Sunday to explain the situation, he said.

In ALOR SETAR, Kedah Education Committee chairman Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain dismissed the allegation.

Kedah Police chief Datuk Zamri Yahya said the police had talked to the teacher and the pupils as part of an investigation into the allegation.

He said the police had received 14 reports in the state and one report was made in Tanjung Malim, Perak.