Recently, multiple cases that shocked the nation have taken place in Malaysian schools, ranging from accidents, sexual assault, to the untimely killing of a 16-year-old girl by a fellow schoolmate.
Earlier incidents such as the Zara Qairina case had already catalysed attention and conversations on school safety, however, the recent cases which took place over the shocking course of a couple of weeks have sparked nationwide outcry demanding a reform by the Education Ministry to ensure that schools remain a safe space.
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27 Sep: 9-year-old dies after falling into uncovered sewer at Negeri Sembilan school
A nine-year-old pupil fell into an uncovered sewer at his school in Lenggeng and passed away while receiving treatment at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital (HTJ).
Negeri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the incident occurred at about 9.20am on Saturday (September 27), when the boy accidentally fell into the sewer located behind one of the school blocks.
“According to eyewitnesses, the victim was rescued by personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department before being rushed to HTJ for medical treatment,” he said in a statement.
“However, the victim succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment,” he said in a statement.
He added that the boy had been at school to attend the annual sports day event.
DCP Alzafny said a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
1 Oct: Primary 4 boy found dead in Senawang school toilet with neck pressure injuries
Police have concluded their investigation into the death of a Primary 4 boy who was found unconscious in a school toilet in Senawang on October 1.
Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said the completed investigation paper has been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action.
According to Alzafny, the probe was carried out thoroughly with assistance from the Behavioural Science Unit (D11) and the Forensic Investigation Unit (D10) of Bukit Aman Police Headquarters.
“The investigation not only focused on possible criminal elements under the sudden death report (SDR) but also examined the likelihood of a bullying incident,” he said in a statement.
He added that statements from 49 witnesses were recorded as part of the investigation process.
Earlier, on October 3, Alzafny revealed that a post-mortem conducted at the Rembau Hospital Forensics Unit determined the cause of death to be pressure applied to the victim’s neck.
2 Oct: Two 17-year-olds allegedly gang raped 15-year-old schoolmate in Melaka, uploaded video online
Two 17-year-old male students, both SPM candidates, were charged at the Alor Gajah Juvenile Court over the alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in a classroom late last month.
The incident is believed to have taken place at around 2.50pm on September 30 at a school in Alor Gajah. The case has since drawn widespread attention due to the involvement of minors on both sides and the severity of the allegations.
The two suspects were charged with gang rape, committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature, and physical sexual assault:
- Section 375B of the Penal Code: committing gang rape of a 15-year-old girl. The punishment: imprisonment between 10 and 30 years if convicted.
- Section 377B of the Penal Code: carnal intercourse against the order of nature with the same victim. Punishment: up to 20 years imprisonment and whipping.
- Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017: physical sexual assault. Punishment: similar to above.
Bail was set at RM7,000 each.
7 Oct: Female security guard and her boyfriend molested a 9-year-old student in Negeri Sembilan
A mother initially claimed her 9-year-old daughter was raped in the school toilet on October 7. However, further inspections at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital found that there was no evidence of rape, rather she was molested while using the toilet.
The school security guard and her boyfriend were accused of committing the offence against the Primary 3 pupil in the school female toilet.
The security guard, Nor Aleeya Suhadah, 22, and her boyfriend, Muahmad Mohtar, 25, pleaded not guilty after being charged separately before Judge N. Kanageswari, according to Sinar Harian.
The duo was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.
The court set bail at RM30,000 each and scheduled the case mention for November 17.
14 Oct: 14-year-old fatally stabbed 16-year-old schoolmate 200 times in Bandar Utama school toilet
Sin Chew Daily reported that authorities were notified by the school at 9:39 AM today. Upon arrival, they found that a 14-year-old male student had stabbed a 16-year-old female student, resulting in her death.
16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen was cremated on October 20, with nearly a hundred attendees comprising of family members, friends, and members of the public attending her funeral. Many members of the public attended her three-day wake, with some driving down from other states.
Image credit: Sayuti Zainudin
Utusan Malaysia reported that Petaling Jaya District Police Chief Asst Comm Shamsudin Mamat said the suspects’ remand will be extended for a second time at the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court at 8am tomorrow.
He added that statements from 148 witnesses have been recorded to aid the ongoing investigation.
Read more on the Bandar Utama tragedy:
A chronology of events: M’sians mourn over 16yo student killed in Bandar Utama school tragedy
″I have already won″ – Police confirm handwritten letter from 14yo Bandar Utama stabbing suspect
17 Oct: 14-year-old detained for allegedly sexually assaulting schoolmate in Sabak Bernam school
Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at a school in Sabak Bernam on October 13.
Sabak Bernam district police chief Supt Md Yusoff Ahmad said the incident reportedly occurred during recess around 9.30am.
“The arrest was carried out on the same day along Jalan Parit, Sungai Besar, and the suspect was remanded for four days starting October 14,” he said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
Read more: 14yo boy from Sabak Bernam school detained over alleged sexual assault case
What are the next steps to improve school safety?
MP urges installation of CCTVs in schools
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) has called on the government to allocate funds for the installation of CCTV cameras in all schools in light of recent cases involving bullying, rape, and even murder among students.
He warned that public schools are losing parents’ trust, as school grounds are increasingly perceived as unsafe.
“Schools should be the safest place after home, but now terms like murder, rape, and bullying are no longer unheard of,” he said during the 2026 budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat.
Education Ministry to announce detailed school safety guidelines by December
The Education Ministry plans to release a comprehensive school safety guideline by December to improve monitoring, protection, and emergency response across all schools nationwide.
Education director-general Dr. Mohd Azam Ahmad said the new framework will consolidate existing procedures into a single, standardised policy, ensuring consistent safety practices in every institution. The guideline is being finalised by a special task force involving UNICEF, Suhakam, and various government agencies, addressing gaps identified through nationwide school safety audits.
Among the measures under consideration is the installation of CCTV cameras, especially in hostels and key areas, to enhance supervision and deter misconduct. While some schools already have CCTV systems, the ministry intends to standardise security infrastructure nationwide.
Dr. Azam emphasised that student safety remains a top priority, and strict action will be taken against negligence. He has instructed all state and district education officers, principals, and senior assistants to ensure student safety is the main focus in all schools.
Education Ministry to strengthen five core areas to improve school safety
Image credit: Bernama
As reported by Harian Metro, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the initiative will focus on five main areas:
- Physical and mental health
- Reproductive and social health education, aimed at preventing sexual violence and substance abuse
- Child protection policies
- Teacher welfare
- Student voices
“All State and District Education offices have been mobilised to ensure practical and effective implementation,” she told Parliament during Question Time on October 16.
Malaysia might impose ban on smartphones for children under 16
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is exploring a ban on smartphones for students under 16 to address safety concerns in schools, he said on October 17, while cautioning school principals against concealing misconduct to protect their institutions’ reputation.
“We have observed that social media and online games can sometimes contribute to criminal behaviour. Therefore, we are considering prohibiting smartphone use for students aged 16 and below,” he told the New Straits Times.
Anwar did not elaborate further if it would be a widespread ban, or limited to just a ban in school.
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