KUCHING: Police have submitted an investigation paper on the student who allegedly injured a teacher with an axe at a private school here, says Sarawak acting police commissioner Deputy Comm Saifullizan Ishak.
He said initial investigations revealed that the 16-year-old boy suffered from depression.
“The suspect is still receiving treatment in hospital and undergoing psychiatric evaluation,” he told a press conference yesterday.
DCP Saifullizan said police are awaiting the forensic psychiatrist’s report to determine the motive behind the attack.
He said the report would assess whether the student was conscious of his actions or acted in a state beyond his control.
“We need the forensic psychiatrist’s expertise to evaluate this. I cannot conclude anything until I receive the report,” he said.
On Oct 21, the teacher was injured while trying to confiscate a sharp object from the student.
Police received an emergency call at 8.03am and detained the student for allegedly injuring the teacher and carrying firecrackers.
The case was investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon and Section 6(1) of the Explosives Act.
DCP Saifullizan said any decision to charge the suspect would be made by the prosecutor, taking into account the psychiatric report.
Asked if bullying was a factor, he said police so far found no such evidence.
Police recorded statements from 38 witnesses in their investigation, including students, teachers, security guards, medical officers and the boy’s parents.
Police also seized an axe, a knife, firecrackers, a computer and mobile phone, which have been sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
“From our investigation, the suspect bought the axe online,” he said.
Separately, DCP Saifullizan said police crippled a grave-robbing gang in Miri following the arrest of nine men during a special operation from Oct 11 to 17.
He said two of them were recently released from jail for the same offence and subsequently recruited others.
Police seized a hammer, a screwdriver and jewellery, including necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and old coins.
With the arrest, DCP Saifullizan said police have solved 15 grave-robbing cases in Miri which occurred since August.
The case is being investigated under Section 297 of the Penal Code for trespassing on burial places, which carries a jail term of up to a year upon conviction.
