BATU PAHAT: It has been two weeks since Form Four student Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal was found dead at her school, but her belongings at home remain intact and untouched.
Her grandfather Khyar Abbas, 69, has insisted on keeping the belongings of Irene Sofiya, fondly known as Fiya by her loved ones, the way they were in their home in Kampung Parit Selamat, Yong Peng here.
“She was very close to me and my wife – it had always been just the three of us staying in this house since she was nine years old.
“I still think of her, especially when I see her things like her scooter, clothes, school bag, books and trophies in her room.
“In every corner of the house, I see my Fiya. It is like she is still with us,” he said when met at their home yesterday.
Irene Sofiya, 16, was found covered in blood in a hall at SMK Dato’ Seth in Yong Peng at about 5.30pm on Oct 3.
Earlier yesterday, a 16-year-old male student was charged in the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court with her murder.
The suspect was not named, as he is underaged and media practitioners were barred from the courtroom.
No plea was recorded as murder is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
The court fixed Dec 22 for next mention pending the forensics and post-mortem reports at the Yong Peng Magistrate’s Court before the case is referred to the High Court.
Khyar said he did not attend court as he had a doctor’s appointment in the morning, but hopes that justice would be served for his granddaughter.
Khyar added that the accused’s family has yet to pay them a visit since the incident, saying the incident “is still too fresh”.
“Maybe somewhere down the road, we are bound to meet since we are from the same village,” he said.
Khyar, a businessman, added that since the Oct 3 incident, many individuals and groups have visited the family home to offer their condolences, including Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, and government representatives.
“Even friends and relatives whom we have lost contact with for years have come all the way from Kelantan, Penang and Kuala Lumpur to give their moral support. We are grateful,” he said.
