KUALA LUMPUR: The tragic stabbing of a female student at a school in Bandar Utama is far too serious to be ignored, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the incident was not only heartbreaking for the victim’s family but also alarming for the wider community.
The very fact that this stabbing happened in a school shows a culture of violence in a place that is supposed to be safe for students,” he said when contacted on Wednesday (Oct 15).
While acknowledging that police investigations are ongoing and that the Education Ministry has set up a committee to look into the matter, he said the issue goes deeper than just one incident.
Lee said academic excellence should not come at the cost of character development and there must be a balance.
"I urge all schools to treat this tragedy as a wake-up call to prioritise safety and student wellbeing.
“We must always be conscious of the need to ensure that schools are safe,” he said, adding that mental development and emotional health of students must be taken seriously.
Although the motive behind the stabbing remains unclear, he said it was time for a nationwide review of safety and security measures in all schools.
"The time has come for a comprehensive policy and clear guidelines on safety, health and security in schools across the country.
"A thorough and holistic approach is needed to protect students, ensuring that schools are not only institutions of learning but also environments where students feel secure, supported and valued," he stressed.
