‘Respect our grief’: Irene Sofiya’s family hits back at social media rumours of suspect’s family visit

Batu Pahat, October 9 — The family of 16-year-old Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, who was murdered last Saturday, has vehemently denied claims circulating on social media that relatives of the suspect visited them. Her cousin Mohamad Fauzi Bujang, 43, told Berita Harian (BH) that the family was taken aback by the rumors and pleaded for the public to respect their grief.

Fauzi stated that they had not received any visitors from the suspect's family days after the tragedy and demanded proof, but none was forthcoming. He said the family felt disappointed by the false reports, which had grown in intensity in recent days. Fauzi also expressed that the family appreciated the community's continued support, noting that Irene Sofiya's grandparents' home remained crowded with visitors a week after the incident, with friends, teachers, and neighbors coming to pay their respects.