KOTA KINABALU: The death of a 17-year-old boy at the Lahad Datu vocational college hostel could have been avoided if students brought their problems to the college authorities, says a Sabah leader.
State Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan said students should raise misunderstandings with fellow schoolmates to the school authorities to avoid unfortunate incidents.
"Things like this can be avoided if students maintain discipline and a high degree of tolerance.
"Any disagreements among residents should be immediately reported to the hostel warden. This is important so that unwanted incidents like the one in Lahad Datu do not happen again," he said on Sunday (March 24).
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Fairuz said the state government was concerned about the incident where 13 of the victim's dormitory mates were arrested after the teenager was found dead there.
"The state government takes this matter seriously as it involves violence among students," he said, urging the police and education authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.
On Friday (March 22), biotechnology student Mohammad Nazmie Aizzat Muhd Narul Azwan was found unconscious on the dormitory floor.
Police subsequently said he was beaten up by his dormitory mates, who suspected him of stealing RM85 from two other students.
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The 13 students have been remanded until Friday (March 29) to help with investigations, while the Education Ministry promised full cooperation in the ongoing probe.
It said it would also provide welfare assistance to the victim's family.
On another matter, Fairuz said both school authorities and the Education Department should pay serious attention to bullying and physical abuse cases reported in some Sabah secondary schools.
"They must take disciplinary action against students who are guilty and must not compromise with misbehaviour like bullying and violence," he added.
