PUTRAJAYA, Oct 13 — The Education Ministry (MOE) has stressed that allowing the suspects in a sexual misconduct case at a school in Melaka to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination does not mean they will escape punishment.
Education Director-General Mohd Azam Ahmad said the school’s disciplinary board had decided to expel all four suspects with immediate effect, and they would not be sitting for the exam at their original school.
“The suspects will not take the SPM at their school. Instead, they will sit for the examination at a designated location, either at a detention centre or a separate venue from their school’s exam hall,” he said during a special press conference today.
Azam added that the police are investigating the case, and the MOE will extend full cooperation to the investigation process.
“The MOE is committed to ensuring full cooperation so that justice can be served. Anyone found guilty must face the consequences,” he said.
Earlier reports stated that a female student was allegedly gang-raped by several male students in a classroom at a school in Alor Gajah on October 2, with the act recorded on a mobile phone by two of the suspects.
The incident came to light after the victim’s mother received information from a teacher about the circulation of the video before lodging a police report.
Four male students, all SPM candidates, were subsequently remanded for six days to assist in investigations.
Following the incident, Azam said the MOE will issue comprehensive school safety guidelines in December, based on findings from several special committees currently conducting safety audits.
“The minister will announce the improved guidelines, which are being refined to suit current needs and developments,” he said.
The proposal to make closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras mandatory on school premises is also under consideration as part of the new guidelines.
“We are looking into the possibility of securing allocations for CCTV installation based on recommendations from the special safety committee,” Azam said.
