12 held in probe over Form Three student's fall

Summary

• Police detain 12 individuals, with one suspected of direct involvement in a Form Three student’s fall at a Sabak Bernam boarding school.

• Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari says the state is monitoring the victim’s condition closely and pledges support for a fair investigation.

Twelve individuals have been detained in the investigation into a Form Three student's fall from the third floor of a boarding school in Sabak Bernam, Selangor.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said one of the individuals is believed to be directly involved in the incident.

"The initial information I received from the police stated that 12 people were detained. One of them is believed to be involved, but I leave it entirely to the police to conduct a thorough and professional investigation.

"We are giving the police room to obtain the truth, and I believe the authorities will ensure that justice is served in this case," Berita Harian quoted him as saying at an event at the MBSA Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor, today.

On Tuesday (Aug 26), police launched an investigation into the incident, which resulted in the boy being hospitalised in critical condition with injuries to his brain, lungs and jaw.

At the time, Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar said it was too early to determine whether the teenager was bullied.

According to Sinar Harian, the investigation is being conducted under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001.

Keeping close watch

Amirudin said the Selangor Health Department has been asked to keep a close eye on the victim's condition.

"Public health exco Jamaliah Jamaluddin will provide the latest developments after receiving a report from the department.

"Of course, the victim's condition is under close monitoring because he was one of the main witnesses to the incident.

"God willing, the health authorities are doing their utmost to save the victim's life and ensure that he is able to give a statement about what really happened," he said.

Besides that, he said that the state government has instructed Sungai Air Tawar assemblyperson Rizam Ismail to obtain further information on the victim's condition.

"Rizam has already met with the victim's family, including his mother and stepfather.

"The state government is ready to support any steps that will be taken to ensure justice and a fair investigation into this incident," he said.

Trio transferred

After the incident, the Education Ministry transferred the school’s principal, student affairs senior assistant and the warden to the state Education Department to facilitate investigations into the matter.

Its minister, Fadhlina Sidek, said that it has also initiated an internal probe into the matter to check whether the school had complied with standard operating procedure.

The incident comes on the heels of the tragic death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was found unconscious in a drain near her religious school’s dormitory in Papar, Sabah, at approximately 4am last month.

Her family believes bullying may have played a role in her death. An inquest into her death is set to begin on Sept 3.

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