KUALA LUMPUR: Police have recorded statements from four witnesses who are friends of the Form Three student who was seriously injured after falling from the third floor of a school hostel in Sabak Bernam early this morning.
Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the statements, taken from male students who were with the victim before the incident, are important in helping investigators determine the circumstances leading up to the fall.
He said that based on preliminary findings, the incident is not believed to be related to bullying, although investigations are still ongoing to ensure a fair and thorough outcome.
“We have interviewed four students who were with the victim before the fall. So far, the information gathered does not point to bullying, but we will continue to investigate to ensure justice for all parties involved,” he said.
The 15-year-old victim suffered serious injuries after falling from the third floor of his school hostel and is currently being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sungai Buloh Hospital.
The boy’s mother said he had recently undergone surgery and that doctors had informed her he was sedated and would be undergoing a computed tomography (CT) scan.
Earlier, Shazeli said police received a report on the incident and had opened an investigation paper under Section 31 (1) of the Child Act 2001.
He said investigations would be conducted from various angles, including student safety, hostel management, and the social background of the victim and his friends.
Following this, Shazeli said police were gathering statements from witnesses and related individuals, and stressed that speculation over the cause of the incident, including allegations of bullying, was premature.
Previously, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said her ministry was conducting an internal investigation to examine all aspects of compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) in the school.
She said that at the same time, the principal, senior assistant for student affairs, and all wardens of the school had been temporarily placed at the Selangor State Education Department until the investigation process was completed.
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