KUALA LUMPUR – Police have launched an investigation under Section 507B of the Penal Code following the deaths of two students from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TARUMT) in separate incidents at a condominium in Taman Melati on Wednesday.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said the first case involved a 22-year-old female student, who was found on the eighth floor after falling from the 22nd floor at 6.48am. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
At 1.57pm, her 53-year-old mother lodged a police report alleging her daughter had been bullied at the university.
Later that night, at 9.35pm, a 21-year-old male student was found dead at the back of the same condominium, believed to have fallen from the 35th floor, which houses a cafeteria.
Post-mortem examinations confirmed both students died from multiple injuries consistent with falls from height. Police initially classified the cases as sudden deaths, saying no elements of foul play were found.
“Both cases are being investigated under Section 507B. We are recording witness statements and gathering the victims’ profiles and backgrounds,” Fadil told Scoop.
He said the inquiry would not only consider the immediate circumstances of the deaths but also examine the wider environment in which the students lived and studied, including possible patterns of intimidation, peer pressure or harassment.
“The new provisions under Section 507B allow us to act when credible claims of bullying emerge, whether verbal, digital or physical. Such behaviour is no longer only a matter for campus discipline — it carries criminal consequences.
“We will investigate thoroughly to determine whether these students faced any form of harassment under this law. We urge classmates, lecturers and friends to come forward with information. This is not about premature blame but ensuring no warning signs are overlooked,” he added.
Section 507B, introduced through recent amendments to the Penal Code, makes bullying a criminal offence. It covers threatening, abusive or insulting words or communications, as well as acts intended to cause harassment, distress, fear or alarm. Offenders may face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
A professor from TARUMT’s Faculty of Social Science and Humanities told Scoop that neither student had previously shown signs of distress.
“Both were exceptionally bright and showed no struggles or behavioural changes that would have raised concern. They maintained good relationships with lecturers and peers, with spotless attendance records,” the professor said.
“While external peer or social pressures cannot be ruled out, academic expectations and assignments followed the standard curriculum. Our concern now is whether unseen social dynamics played a role in pressures they never openly expressed,” the professor added.
TARUMT has since extended condolences to the families and offered counselling to relatives, friends and students. The university said an internal review is under way and pledged full cooperation with the authorities.
Meanwhile, an alumni group has called for a 24-hour suicide helpline, a zero-tolerance policy on bullying and harassment with transparent disciplinary action, and demanded the resignation of two staff members.
Although the deaths occurred about 14 hours apart and involved students from the same university, police believe the cases are unrelated. – August 23, 2025
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