Minister: SOP breach led to RM100k school aid theft

School visit: Fadhlina spending time with the pupils after visiting SK Chepor to check on the upgrade of the school’s facilities. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star

IPOH: The standard operating procedure (SOP) was breached in the case of a headmaster who lost more than RM100,000 student aid when he left the money in the car to go for a drink, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

Under the SOP, any amount more than RM10,000 would require escort from the police or other teachers.

“In this case, the amount was more than RM100,000. The SOP has definitely been breached,” she said, adding that there was “probably negligence”.

The headmaster had withdrawn RM109,000 from a bank in Kampung Baru Semenyih on Monday.

He kept it in a bag in the front passenger seat of his car and then went to get a drink from a nearby restaurant in Semenyih.

A thief broke into the headmaster’s car and fled with the money, which was the ministry’s financial aid to the school.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after visiting SK Chepor to check on the upgrade of the school’s facilities, Fadhlina said the ministry would not compromise on any case involving negligence.

“I view this case very seriously. We will wait for the police investigation and the Selangor Education Department’s report before deciding on the next course of action,” she said.

She said the students had the right to receive the aid.

“We have a process to go through when negligence is involved.

“The students will definitely receive what they are due,” she added.

Separately, Kajang district police chief Asst Comm Mohd Zaid Hassan said that based on a statement by the 50-year-old headmaster, it was normal for him to make such a transaction without a police escort.

“According to the headmaster, he had been doing it for 10 years and during the period, had never requested a police escort.

“It is regrettable that he did not request it because the school can ask for the help of the police for the purpose,” he told a press conference after launching Op Selamat 19/13 in conjunction with Chinese New Year 2023 at the South Kajang Toll Plaza, Kajang-Seremban Highway (Lekas) yesterday.