Education Ministry orders immediate audit after Kuala Pilah Form Two student’s death, pupil detained to assist probe
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — The Education Ministry has ordered an immediate audit of a Kuala Pilah school following the death of a 14-year-old Form Two student, as police detained a student to assist with investigations.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the Inspectorate of Schools had been directed to examine safety measures and compliance with school procedures, and to identify any breaches of procedure or the law.
“No party will be protected if found to have committed misconduct or violated the law. Appropriate action will be taken based on the results of the investigation and in accordance with the law in force,” she said in a statement on Facebook today.
Fadhlina said police were investigating the incident and that she had been informed a student had been detained to assist with inquiries.
She said the ministry and the school would fully cooperate with police to ensure the investigation was conducted thoroughly and transparently.
Media reports earlier today said the 14-year-old died last night after he was found unconscious at the hostel of a school in Kuala Pilah, amid allegations that bullying may have been involved.
Kuala Pilah district police chief Superintendent Muhamad Mustafah Hussin confirmed the incident and said police would release further details on the case.
Fadhlina said she visited the school this morning to meet school staff, officers from the District Education Office and Negeri Sembilan Education Department, as well as police, to obtain an explanation of the incident and the action taken.
She also said she had met the boy’s family at the hospital to personally convey her condolences.
“The entire Ministry of Education extends its condolences to the family of the deceased. I have met with the family members of the deceased at the hospital to personally express my sympathy for this heart-wrenching loss,” she said.
The ministry is also providing counselling and psychological support to the student’s family and members of the school community affected by the incident.
“In this difficult time, our priority is the family of the deceased. The Education Ministry will fully cooperate with the PDRM investigation and ensure the well-being of the school staff continues,” Fadhlina said.
