Photo: ART CHEN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Heartbroken mother Wong Lee Ping says, “My daughter was stabbed 200 times,” as she recounted the horrifying details of her 16-year-old daughter’s death at SMK Bandar Utama 4 on Tuesday (Oct 14).
Fighting back tears, Wong, 44, said inaccurate reports had circulated online about the number of stab wounds her daughter, Yap Shing Xuen, suffered.
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“Some websites said my daughter was stabbed 50 times, but the truth is she was stabbed 200 times – from the neck to the lungs and also on her legs,” she told reporters during a press conference at Nirvana Center KL (NCKL) on Thursday (Oct 16).
Wong said her daughter was attacked while in the school washroom.
“Police told us the boy had jumped down from the top of the cubicle because the door was locked. My daughter screamed for help, and people heard her.
"After stabbing her, the boy ran off, leaving my daughter locked inside. When the teachers broke open the door, she was already... gone,” she said, her voice breaking.
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Wong urged social media users to stop spreading false and insensitive information about the case.
"My daughter is already a victim. Please stop circulating fake stories about how she died.
"She did not know the boy, had never spoken to him and was not in any relationship with him,” she said.
Wong described Shing Xuen as a bright, disciplined and loving girl who had just won second place in the IS KL sports event two days before her death.
“She was smart and independent, always organised and never gave us any worries. She was very caring and affectionate. She was such a sweet girl,” Wong said, sobbing.
She also cautioned the public against online scams using fake QR codes to solicit donations.
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“Please don’t donate through those links. If you truly care, just come here to pay your respects to my daughter,” she added.
Wong said her family was also hurt by false online claims that her brother was related to the suspect.
“My brother, Wong Yoon Lim, accompanied me to claim my daughter’s body. But some websites said he was the father of the suspect. That’s not true, and he has lodged a police report,” she said.
Meanwhile, the victim’s stepfather, How Boon Chin, 60, expressed frustration over misleading social media posts and urged the public not to speculate.
“People are talking nonsense. I hope this stops. What happened is already heartbreaking. Some students are now afraid to go to school,” he said.
How also questioned how a sharp weapon could be brought into school despite strict rules prohibiting mobile phones.
“Phones are not allowed, but somehow a knife could get in. The school must look into this seriously,” he said.
Yap, a Form Three student, was fatally attacked by a 14-year-old male schoolmate at about 9.30am on Tuesday (Oct 14).
Police have arrested the suspect, who has been remanded for seven days to assist in the investigation.
Education Minister Fadhina Sidek and her deputy Wong Kah Woh paid their respects to the late Shin Xuen at 5.15pm.
An emotional Fadhlina was visibly moved, with Wong later telling the media that they were there on behalf of the ministry to convey their condolences and to urge the family to stay strong during this difficult time.
Also present were Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.
The victim’s wake will be held at Nirvana Center KL (NCKL), Level 3, Imperial Memorial Hall, from Friday (Oct 16) for five days to allow relatives, friends and schoolmates to pay their last respects.
