BATU PAHAT: The death of 16-year-old Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal at a school in Yong Peng has once again raised the need for stronger supervision, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Ayer Hitam MP added that the tragedy was deeply saddening and called for a thorough review of security measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
“I am saddened to see this tragedy happen in a school. Although the police are investigating, I feel that we need to further strengthen security at schools, including the care and supervision of students and monitoring their movements,” he said.
Dr Wee, who is also MCA president, said this when met after visiting Irene Sofiya’s family at their home in Kampung Parit Selamat here on Monday (Oct 5).
Earlier, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, and Johor Regent Tunku Ismail wife Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor also paid a visit to the victim’s family.
Her Majesty together with Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda spent about an hour meeting the victim’s family in private.
Dr Wee said the authorities should conduct an in-depth study on the practical risks and ways to improve supervision in schools.
He said the issue could also be raised for discussion in the relevant forums, including in Parliament through motions brought before the appropriate platforms.
“This is the third tragedy to have happened in a school in Malaysia. We need to look at what the Education Ministry should do and conduct a thorough study,” he added.
Dr Wee said relying solely on human supervision could have its limitations, and schools should consider using technology to complement existing security measures.
He proposed that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras be installed in schools as an additional monitoring tool.
“We can use security guards and other measures, but sometimes we also need something like CCTV,” he said.
His call comes after Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said on Monday that CCTV cameras at the Yong Peng school did not cover the location where the incident took place.
Dr Wee described CCTV as one of the more practical and affordable measures that could be implemented in schools, noting that schools did not necessarily need sophisticated systems.
“Now, CCTV is relatively cheap. Schools do not need anything too sophisticated. This could also help deter people and make monitoring more effective,” he said.
He added that the presence of cameras could itself serve as a deterrent against anyone considering wrongdoing on school premises.
“When people know there are cameras, they will think twice. I believe this can help deter people from doing anything,” he said.
On Saturday, Irene Sofiya was found unconscious and covered in blood at a secondary school hall here.
She was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering multiple injuries to her head and body, according to Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad.
Police have detained a 16-year-old male student and obtained a six-day remand order to assist investigations into the case, which is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code. The motive and circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
