PETALING JAYA: Schools should remain a safe environment for learning and not places where past crimes are seemingly overlooked, says a human rights activist.
Lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan expressed concern over the recent decision to allow four students accused of gang rape to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.
Rajesh stressed that the presumption of innocence does not mean immunity from consequences.
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"The Education Ministry’s first duty is to ensure that schools remain safe spaces for learning, not crime scenes revisited under official sanction," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 13).
He urged the education authorities to consider lawful and safer alternatives, including deferred examinations or isolated sittings under strict supervision.
"This balances the right to education with the duty to protect others.
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"The fact that none of these (options) was pursued reveals a shocking lack of judgment, empathy and leadership," he said.
On Sunday (Oct 12), Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the four students, suspected of committing gang rape at a secondary school in Alor Gajah, Melaka, would still be allowed to sit for their SPM, which begins on Nov 3.
Fadhlina said that although the case is still under police investigation, the students’ right to education must be upheld in line with the ministry’s principle of education for all.
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A Form Three student was allegedly raped by two senior students at about 2.50pm on Oct 2. The act was reportedly recorded on a mobile phone and witnessed by two other students.
The incident came to light after a video recording was circulated among students at the school before it was reported to teachers on Friday (Oct 10).
The victim’s mother then lodged a police report. All the suspects have since been remanded.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil advised the public against sharing content related to the incident.
