KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin was moved to tears in the Dewan Rakyat today as she recounted the recent deaths of a schoolgirl and two university students.
Her voice broke as she raised the case of Zara Qairina Mahathir, a student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha in Papar, Sabah.
“The death of Zara Qairina, an innocent child… has sparked public outrage across Malaysia. As a mother, sister, and leader, I am angry, heartbroken and deeply disappointed by what has happened.
“There was also the death of Syamsul Haris Samsudin, a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia student who died while undergoing Palapes (Reserve Officer Training Unit) training in Skudai, Johor, as well as Muhammad Amir Rusyaidi, a Universiti Teknologi Mara student in Shah Alam, who also lost his life during the training,” she said during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan.
She urged the government to initiate comprehensive, independent and transparent investigations into these deaths.
Mas Ermieyati also said post-mortem examination results and incident reports must be shared openly with the victims’ families and presented in Parliament.
She proposed several reforms, including improved health and safety protocols as well as adequate welfare support and compensation for affected families.
“The death of a trainee during an official government programme is not a small matter, nor should it be dismissed as an isolated incident.
“We must not be reactive only after tragedies occur.
“Instead, we must be proactive in improving existing systems, reviewing training modules, and ensuring that every participant is provided with adequate protection from the beginning until the end of the programme,” she said.
Syamsul Haris died on July 28 while attending Palapes training.
Meanwhile, Amir died on Nov 13 last year due to heat stroke and multiple organ failure. Police found no foul play involved in his death.
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