MOE, PDRM COOPERATE TO STRENGTHEN SAFETY MONITORING IN SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) is working closely with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to strengthen safety monitoring in all schools nationwide.

Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the PDRM will inform about additional security measures that will be implemented to ensure that school areas are truly safe for students, including efforts to enhance control in schools.

“The MOE views seriously the criminal incidents that occur between students in school areas, including the recent cases involving deaths and rapes.

“We do not view these cases as isolated ones. The MOE views these incidents as a strong blow to us to do more to strengthen the safety of students and their mental well-being," he said.

He said this at a special press conference here in relation to the death of a female student in a school in Selangor today.

In the incident at about 9.30 am today, a female Form 4 student is believed to have been stabbed to death by a male student in an incident at a secondary school in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Ismail said the victim died at the location of the incident within the school area while the suspect, a 14-year-old student of the same school, has been arrested.

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya district police chief ACP Shamsudin Mamat said police found two sharp weapons believed to have been used by the suspect in the stabbing incident.

When asked whether the school involved would be temporarily closed, he said the teaching and learning (PdP) process would proceed as usual while the Final Test of the Academic Session (UASA) would be coordinated by the school.

“The PdP process at the school is running as usual, and the investigation conducted does not disrupt the teaching and learning process of students. The school will also readjust the UASA test schedule according to the current situation,” he said.

On whether the suspect had any specific problems and how the weapon was brought into the school, he said the MOE has left it to the PDRM to conduct further investigations into the matter.

“I request that if there is anyone with information, please forward the information to the PDRM,” he added.

-- BERNAMA