Suhakam wants guidelines for missing students after teen’s death

The Suhakam Commission's Children's Commissioners have called for the establishment of nationwide guidelines to address the issue of missing students, following the murder of a 16-year-old Form 4 student in Johor. The commissioners urged the Education Ministry to create a set of guidelines that would outline immediate search parameters, coordinate roles, and specify timelines for notifying parents and administrators.

The guidelines should also indicate when the police should be involved and recommend targeted after-school risk assessments. These assessments would focus on activities taking place outside regular school hours, considering factors such as lower staffing levels, movement across school grounds, and isolated or under-supervised areas.

Sixteen-year-old Irene Sofiya Khairoul Faisal was found unconscious in the school hall by her grandmother after she did not return home from a tuition class. She later died from blunt force trauma to the head. Three other 16-year-old male students were arrested in connection with her murder, with one of them being remanded until October 9.

The commissioners emphasized the need for schools to implement a nationwide familiarization program to ensure students understand the school's child protection policy, their rights to safety and protection, as well as how to recognize and report bullying, abuse, harassment, and other safeguarding concerns. Schools must maintain clear oversight of student presence during extra classes, co-curricular sessions, sports training, and late afternoon activities.