KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — The secondary school in Yong Peng, Johor, where a Form Four female student was allegedly found murdered, is equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, but none were installed at the location where the incident occurred.
Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the Education Ministry (MOE) is now upgrading the CCTV facilities and has launched an investigation into the school’s security company to determine whether there were any breaches of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The school does have CCTV, but the cameras were not installed at the scene of the crime. That is why I say, beyond the (new installation) phases...
“...any school that already has CCTV, but where the system is non-functional or damaged, should inform us so that we can work together to improve its functionality, ensuring it can capture and record events within the school,” she said during a media conference at the Parliament building today.
Elaborating on security measures, Fadhlina said the MOE is also conducting a comprehensive review of the patrol records and duties carried out by the security company on the day of the incident.
She warned that financial penalties or contract termination could be imposed if any breaches of the stipulated terms are found.
Meanwhile, the minister urged the public to stop spreading false information about the incident out of respect for the grieving family of the victim and the underage suspect, who remains under police investigation.
“There have been claims that the victim was dragged from the surau (prayer room) to the hall where the incident occurred, as well as allegations of broken glass in the surau. None of this is true.
“Let us not add to the pain with speculation,” Fadhlina said.
While extending her condolences to the victim’s family, she said the MOE demanded that justice be served in the death of Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, 16, and had fully entrusted the criminal investigation to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
“Regarding Irene Sofiya, our responsibility now is clear. The truth must be uncovered, and justice must be served. Justice for Irene Sofiya,” Fadhlina said.
Irene was found dead, with injuries on her body suggesting that she had been murdered, inside the hall of a secondary school in Yong Peng at 5.30pm on Saturday (October 3).
Her grandmother and a friend found the victim after realising she had not returned home, even though her extra classes had ended.
