Police in Negeri Sembilan have opened a murder investigation following the death of a Form 2 student at a sports school in Kuala Pilah.
The 14-year-old student died yesterday after he was found unconscious at the school hostel. The incident occurred around 8pm in the dormitory.
A family member claimed the victim was assaulted by a senior. A woman who said she was the victim’s aunt alleged that the student was beaten in the school’s dormitory and that a Form 4 student had been arrested, according to Sinar Harian.
Negeri Sembilan police chief Alzafny Ahmad confirmed the death and said a murder investigation had been opened after a post-mortem at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital in Seremban.
A 16-year-old male student has been arrested to assist in the probe.
Kuala Pilah district police chief Superintendent Muhamad Mustafah Hussin confirmed the incident and said police would provide further details soon.
Education minister orders immediate safety audit
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek has ordered an immediate audit of the school’s safety compliance.
She visited the school this morning to meet its management as well as district and state education officials, and to seek an update from the police.
“The education ministry and school will fully cooperate with the police.
“At the ministry level, safety aspects and compliance issues at the school will be reviewed holistically. I have ordered an immediate audit to identify possible non-compliance with the school’s operations,” she said in a statement.
Fadhlina met the family of the victim at the hospital to convey her sympathies. She added that no one would be protected if any wrongdoing was discovered.
“Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation and according to the law.
“The ministry will also provide counselling and psychosocial support for the family of the deceased, as well as the students and teachers who are affected by this incident,” she said.
School and parents call for calm
Parent-Teacher Association chairman Abd Malek Abd Ghani said all parties should give the authorities room to investigate the death of the Form 2 student who was believed to have been bullied.
He said the authorities would conduct a detailed investigation, which could take some time to ensure it was thorough.
He noted that several posts about the case had appeared on social media, but the accuracy of the information could not be confirmed.
“I urge the public to be patient as the investigation has begun, and we must all be careful about social media posts,” he said.
Abd Malek said the school is a State Sports School with 315 students. It offers football, hockey, sepak takraw, athletics, netball and archery.
The deceased was a Form 2 student involved in archery.
No bullying cases had been reported at the school hostel so far this year. A bullying case was reported about four years ago, and the student involved was sentenced by the court.
A teacher who is also a coach at the school said he was shocked by the incident.
He said the school management had instructed staff to remain calm and allow the authorities to take further action.
“We were told to remain calm and were not allowed to issue any statements about the incident because the authorities are taking action,” he said.
