KUALA LUMPUR: Dozens of teachers and students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bandar Utama 4 and public figures paid their last respects to slain Yap Shing Xuen at Nirvana Centre KL (NCKL) on Friday (Oct 17).
School teachers arrived at the wake around 1pm to offer condolences to the grieving family.
Most of them declined to speak to the media, but it was understood that a few had taught Yap and knew her as a polite, well-mannered and helpful student.
One teacher who taught Yap Bahasa Melayu broke down after seeing Yap for the last time. So too did a few of Yap’s classmates at the wake.
Her friends say that she was well-liked as a polite and good student, with one of Yap’s classmates since Form 1 describing her as a “sweet and caring girl”.
The incident had greatly affected many students, as a Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) representative said that only some 300 students have felt safe enough to go to school out of over 1,000.
“After the incident, we didn’t dare attend school, and yes, we accepted counselling, ” said one of Yap’s classmates, declining to give her name.
Another classmate said the sight of the suspect holding the knife before he was apprehended traumatised many of her peers, many of whom have trouble letting go of the image.
“I feel uncomfortable going back to school,” she said.
A member of the school’s PIBG said that a History exam was being conducted on the day of the incident when a Chinese language teacher noticed that one of the toilets on the ground floor was locked from the inside.
“Suddenly, she saw blood seeping out from under the cubicle door and heard faint cries for help. She knocked on the door repeatedly but got no response, so she rushed out to call a male teacher for assistance,” the PIBG member said.
“When the door was finally forced open, the suspect was seen covering Yap’s mouth to stop her from calling for help. The moment the door opened, the suspect turned and chased the male teacher while holding a knife,” she said.
She added that during the chase, many students witnessed the suspect running around with the weapon in his hand.
Earlier, at about 12.30pm, the Istana Negara sent a wreath to NCKL through palace officers to convey the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s and Raja Permaisuri Agong’s condolences to Yap’s family.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo also attended the wake at around 1.15pm to express his sympathy and support to the family.
“I came to convey my deepest condolences to the family and to express my heartfelt sympathy during this very difficult time,” he said.
Gobind added that his office and parliamentary team were ready to assist the family in any way possible.
“If there is any assistance needed, my office and I are always available to help in whatever way we can. I hope the family remains strong and that all arrangements will go smoothly,” he said.
On the police’s investigation of the alleged killing being influenced by video games and social media content, Gobind said he would issue a separate statement later.
At about 3:45 p.m., Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar arrived at Yap’s wake to pay her respects on behalf of her family and party.
“I have an 18-year-old daughter and two sons. I came to offer my heartfelt condolences to Yap’s parents because, as Malaysians, we see every child as our own,” she said.
Nurul Izzah urged the public to respect the family’s wishes and refrain from speculation.
“She (Yap’s mother) asked that we do not add to existing facts but instead focus on the work that must continue. Let us remember Shing Xuen’s smile and the life she lived, which was cherished by all,” she said.
“As we pay our respects, let us also honour the family’s wishes: not to speculate, but to stand in solidarity with them and all Malaysians who mourn this loss.”
When asked about the engagement on the use of caning in schools, Nurul Izzah said the focus should be on creating safe and supportive spaces for students.
“Building safe schools and safe spaces is not easy. It’s an ongoing process, but we must keep victims and children at the heart of every solution.
“And we must always ask ourselves: what if it were our child? What if it were someone we love? “Let that empathy guide every decision we make,” she said.
Yap, a Form Three student, was killed after being stabbed by a 14-year-old male schoolmate at SMK Bandar Utama 4 in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at about 9.30am, when the boy allegedly brought a sharp weapon, believed to be a knife, to school before attacking the victim in the washroom during school hours.
Police have since arrested the suspect, who has been remanded for seven days to assist in investigations.
Yap’s wake is being held at Nirvana Centre KL (NCKL), Level 3, Imperial Memorial Hall, for five days to allow relatives, friends, teachers and schoolmates to pay their last respects.
