Fadhlina: No CCTV at spot where student died

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Sixteen-year-old Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal was found dead with multiple injuries at a school in Yong Peng, where no CCTV cameras covered the area of the incident. In response, the Education Ministry is investigating the school's security lapses, reviewing patrol logs, and accelerating a nationwide CCTV installation program to prevent future tragedies.

KUALA LUMPUR — No closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras covered the area where 16-year-old Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal was found dead at a school in Yong Peng, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said on Monday.

Fadhlina, visibly emotional during a press briefing, confirmed that while the school is equipped with CCTV, cameras were not installed at the specific scene of the incident. “We are taking immediate steps to improve the situation,” she stated. The minister, who spoke both as a government official and a mother, emphasized the trust parents place in schools to ensure their children's safety.

Irene Sofiya was discovered with multiple injuries in the school hall following extra classes on Saturday. Authorities have detained several students to assist with the investigation, including a 16-year-old boy who has been remanded for six days.

The Education Ministry is reviewing patrol logs from the security firm responsible for the school’s safety and has warned that the firm may face penalties if found to have breached contract terms. Fadhlina also noted that some schools have malfunctioning or poorly maintained CCTV systems and urged administrators to report such issues to the ministry promptly.

The ministry has implemented a three-phase CCTV installation program: the first two phases, costing RM8 million, covered 533 schools with hostels, while the upcoming third phase—budgeted at RM15 million—plans to expand coverage to 1,000 schools in 2027. However, Fadhlina stressed that surveillance cameras alone are not sufficient to guarantee school safety.

Addressing circulating reports, the minister denied allegations that the victim was dragged from the school’s surau (prayer room) to the hall or that a mirror in the surau was broken. She reminded the public that those detained in connection with the case are minors and cautioned against passing judgment on social media before the legal process concludes.

“We cannot return this child to her family, but we can make sure her death does not simply pass,” Fadhlina said, underscoring the need for thorough investigation and measures to enhance school security.

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