KUALA LUMPUR: Teachers and students from SMK Bandar Utama Damansara 4 continued to bid farewell to Yap Shing Xuen, whose death has shocked the nation.
Looking at the photo of the 16-year-old student, many could not hold back their tears as they remembered her as a polite, well-mannered and helpful girl.
Istana Negara also sent a bouquet of flowers to the memorial hall at Nirvana Centre KL yesterday to convey its deepest condolences to the family.
One of the students, who declined to be named, said she had been in the same class as Shing Xuen since Form One.
Heartfelt condolences: Representatives from Istana Negara carrying a bouquet of flowers into the memorial hall where (pic, below) Shing Xuen’s remains rest. — Low Lay Phon/The Star
“She was a sweet and caring girl,” she said, adding that counselling sessions have been arranged for students.
Another student, also preferring to remain anonymous, said she had not been attending school since the incident on Tuesday.
“I feel sad and uncomfortable entering the compound,” she said.
Both students did not elaborate further as they were called to join others in presenting flowers to Shing Xuen.
A member of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association said only about a quarter of the total students had returned to school in the past few days.
Among those seen at the wake yesterday were Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Offering his assistance to the victim’s family, Gobind said he hoped the family would remain strong and all arrangements would go on smoothly.
“If there is any assistance needed, my office and I are always available to help in whatever way we can,” he said.
Nurul Izzah said she was there on behalf of her family and the party community to convey their condolences.
A mother of three, she said she shared the grief of the victim’s parents.
“I have an 18-year-old daughter and two sons. As Malaysians, we see every child as our own,” she said.
She urged the public to respect the family’s privacy and refrain from speculation.
Unbearable grief: A tearful teacher being comforted by her colleague at the wake as other teachers and students look on.
“Let us remember Shing Xuen’s smile and the life she lived, which was cherished by all,” she said.
Nurul Izzah also called for continued efforts to make schools safer for all.
“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,” Nurul Izzah said.
