COMMENT | The shocking stabbing incident at SMK Bandar Utama 4 has deeply unsettled the nation, not just because of its brutality, but because of what it reveals about silent suffering, unnoticed red flags, and the systemic gaps in school and family safety nets.

A 14-year-old boy took the life of a peer in a violent act that raises pressing questions about emotional neglect, access to weapons, and the influence of toxic ideologies.

This tragedy was not born out of a single moment of madness, but it was the product of accumulated pain, isolation, and a system that failed to intervene early enough.

One of the most disturbing aspects of this case is how easily the suspect was able to acquire deadly weapons online. Authorities confirmed that the teenager had purchased at least two sharp-edged weapons: a knife and a kerambit through e-commerce platforms.

These were not acquired on impulse; he had reportedly owned them for some time before the attack. Even more troubling is that he allegedly brought a weapon to class prior to the stabbing and showed it to other students. Yet, no preventive action was taken.

This points to a...