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SHAH ALAM – The Education Ministry (MoE) has ordered an immediate audit by the Education Inspectorate following the death of a Form Two student at a school in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, amid allegations that the teenager was assaulted at the school hostel.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the audit was aimed at identifying any non-compliance with safety procedures and regulations at the school.
“No party will be protected if misconduct or a violation of the law is found.
“Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation and in accordance with the applicable laws,” she said in a statement posted on social media today.
Fadhlina said she had met the victim’s family at the hospital this morning to personally convey her condolences over the loss.
She also visited the school to meet its staff, officers from the District Education Office (PPD), the state Education Department (JPN) and the police to obtain clarification on the incident and the action taken.
She said the police investigation into the incident was ongoing and that she had been informed that a student had been detained to assist with the investigation.
“MoE and the school will provide full cooperation to police to ensure that the investigation can be conducted comprehensively and transparently,” she added.
Fadhlina also said the ministry would review safety aspects and compliance with procedures at the school comprehensively following the incident.
She said counselling and psychosocial support would also be provided to the victim’s family and members of the school community affected by the incident.
The victim, identified as Muhammad Idlan Fareeq Shahril, was a Form Two student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Za’ba in Kuala Pilah.
Earlier, claims circulated on social media that the teenager had allegedly been assaulted at the school hostel.
A Threads account claiming to be the victim’s aunt said the family had been informed that the teenager had died after allegedly being beaten at the hostel.
The account later claimed that a student allegedly involved in the incident had been arrested, while the victim’s body was taken for a post-mortem examination.
A former teacher of the teenager also expressed grief over his death in a social media post, saying she had taught him two years ago.
However, the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death, including claims that bullying or an assault was involved, remain subject to police investigation and official confirmation.
Meanwhile, former Education Minister Dr Radzi Jidin called for a thorough investigation following allegations that the teenager had been a victim of bullying.
Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki also called for an immediate and transparent investigation, saying firm action should be taken if wrongdoing was established.
It was first reported that the teenager was found unconscious at the school hostel before being taken to Hospital Tuanku Ampuan Najihah (HTAN), where he was later pronounced dead.
A cousin said Idlan was active in sports and had enrolled at the school following his achievements in handball.
Fadhlina said the ministry’s priority at this difficult time was the victim’s family and that MoE would continue to cooperate fully with the police investigation while ensuring the welfare of the school community was protected.
