PUTRAJAYA: The well-being of the 15-year-old gang rape victim in Melaka is the priority, says the Education Ministry.
The four who are alleged to have committed the gang rape have been expelled, Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said.
The 17-year-old male students will not be allowed to sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) in school.
The District Education Office and State Education Department will determine where they will sit for the exam, he said.
“They were given permission to sit for the exam, but this does not mean that they will escape punishment.
“If, for example, they are placed in a detention centre, there are procedures under the Examination Board on how the SPM will be conducted,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
The victim, a Form Three student at a school in Alor Gajah, is still receiving treatment and psycho-social support, he said.
Mohd Azam said that, to ensure the safety and well-being of students, a comprehensive new safety guideline will be introduced in December.
The Education Ministry, he said, was also seeking additional funds for the installation of CCTV cameras, particularly in boarding schools, as part of efforts to strengthen surveillance and to prevent incidents of misconduct.
“The upcoming guidelines will be introduced by the minister Fadhlina Sidek.
“The feedback will be incorporated in a single, complete, and holistic guideline that is easily accessible,” he said, adding that the ministry has intensified nationwide school safety audits and surprise inspections in the wake of the Melaka incident.
“I have instructed all state education directors and district officers to carry out surprise visits to ensure safety procedures are followed.
“A Special School Safety Committee comprising representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), and other agencies has been established to review existing safety standards, including nighttime inspections of dormitories and canteens,” he said, adding that over 1,000 schools and hostels have already been visited under this ongoing safety audit.
The Form Three student was allegedly raped by two senior students in a classroom around 2.50pm on Oct 2. The assault was reportedly recorded and witnessed by two other students.
The incident only came to light on Oct 10 after the video was shared among students and subsequently reported to teachers and the victim’s mother.
Meanwhile, Mohd Azam also took time to express condolences to the bereaved family of a female student who was found dead at her home in Kuala Klawang.
He said the ministry would provide all necessary support to the family.
“Whether the cause was related to SPM stress or other factors, we will await the results of the investigation.
“The school is also conducting its own internal probe,” he said.
He also noted that over 6,000 school students have contracted influenza due to a recent surge in cases.
“The infected students involve several schools across the country, leading to temporary closures of some educational institutions.
“We have instructed schools to encourage students and staff to wear face masks and to minimise activities that involve large group interactions.
“I have directed all schools, teacher education institutes, matriculation colleges, and vocational colleges to refer to the guidelines provided by the Health Ministry and the respective district health offices,” he added.
