KUALA LUMPUR: Several organisations are joining forces to respond to the call for safer schools following recent cases of violence happening to students.
The awareness campaign will be for school students, parents, teachers and principals, said MCA.
"Education reform is essential. Schools should be the safest places, yet we are seeing tragic incidents.
"We are partnering with NGOs to promote school safety and mental health awareness.
"We aim to help parents, teachers and students learn from tragedy and take action to protect lives," said MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low after paying his respects at the wake of slain student Yap Shing Xuen at Nirvana 2 funeral parlour on Sunday (Oct 19).
While consoling the girl's parents, Low noted their concerns about whether the issue lay within education or society.
"It was profoundly unsettling. The loss of an innocent life not only shatters a family but also exposes the gaps in our education system and societal care.
"This case is a stark reminder for all – parents, educators and the government – to prioritise youth mental health."
Low emphasised the collective responsibility for children's safety.
"It takes a village to raise a child. We must face the reality that ensuring children's safety is not solely the school's responsibility but a shared mission for every adult and community," he said.
Wanita MCA deputy chairman Tee Hooi Ling, who was also present, said Shing Xuen's death is a wake-up call for all parents to engage with their children to understand what was on their minds.
"Let's do our part and prevent such a sad incident from happening again," she said.
Also present were MCA Public Policy and People's Livelihood Research Advisory Committee chairperson Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew, MCA central committee member Datuk Leong Kok Wee and other party members.
Meanwhile, MCA Youth chief Ling Tian Soon, who also paid a visit later with his deputy Mike Chong Yew Chuan, has called on the Education Ministry to implement reforms focusing on academics and character development.
"The ministry must show its determination to reform, listening to public opinion and reassessing the current education system," he 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 (Oct 14), at around 9.30am.
He 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.
Her funeral will take place at 9.30am on Monday (Oct 20), with the cortege leaving for the Nirvana crematorium in Shah Alam at 11am.
