THE recent case of a school bus driver in Malaysia, who was detained after posting videos of young schoolchildren on his TikTok account and referring to one as his “crush,” has ignited public outrage and discussions around sexual misconduct, particularly involving minors. The incident shines a light on two important legal principles: ignorantia juris (ignorance of the law) and ignorantia facti (ignorance of fact). This case not only raises concerns about the ethical responsibilities of individuals in positions of trust but also about the broader issue of how ignorance is treated in criminal cases, especially those involving vulnerable individuals.

The incident: A breach of ethical and legal boundaries