MOE Denies Claim Irene Sofiya Was Dragged from Prayer Room to School Hall

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has denied claims that Form Four student Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, who was found dead in a suspected murder in a school hall in Yong Peng two days ago, had been dragged from the prayer room to the scene, as alleged in viral social media posts.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek also denied claims that a mirror in the prayer room had been broken and linked to the incident.

“So, all of this is untrue. I urge everyone to be careful before sharing anything.

“We are talking about a child who has died, a family that is grieving and several underage students who are going through an investigation.

“So, let us not add to their pain with speculation,” she told a press conference at Parliament today.

Fadhlina said that according to the latest developments, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is conducting an investigation and several students have been detained, with one of them remanded.

“I do not want to pre-empt the PDRM investigation, and we cannot pass judgement outside the legal process.

“The MOE will provide its full cooperation, and whatever information the police require, we will provide,” she said.

Fadhlina stressed that immediate follow-up action would be taken on matters under the MOE’s responsibility, including school safety, discipline, psychosocial support and school management.

Immediate Follow-Up Action on Security Company

She said she had ordered a comprehensive review of the school’s management and security arrangements, including access control, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, patrols, compliance with security standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the performance of the security company on the day of the incident.

“Security companies appointed by the MOE have a clear scope of work and contractual obligations, including access control, patrols in designated areas and overall compliance with schedules and assigned duties.

“For the security company at this school, a review is being conducted of patrol records and the performance of duties on the day of the incident. If there was any breach of the contractual scope, action may be taken in accordance with the stipulated terms, including a notice of non-compliance, financial penalties and termination of the contract if the conditions are met,” she said.

Fadhlina said the MOE’s psychosocial support team had also been mobilised to assist the victim’s family, friends, students and members of the school community affected by the incident.

“Psychology officers and counsellors will continue to support them according to their needs. We need to understand that the impact of this incident does not end when media attention ends.

“There are children and members of the school community who need time and support to return to their routines,” she said.

No CCTV in School Hall

Fadhlina said the school hall where Irene Sofiya was found dead in the suspected murder two days ago was not equipped with CCTV cameras.

She said the secondary school in Yong Peng had CCTV cameras, but none were installed at the location where the crime occurred.

“So, we are making improvements and taking immediate action.

“That is why, apart from the phases to add CCTV facilities, any school that already has CCTV cameras that are not functioning or are damaged should inform us so that we can make improvements and take action to ensure they are operational and able to capture and record incidents at schools,” she said.

Fadhlina said CCTV installation was among 11 additional measures implemented by the MOE to improve safety at educational institutions.

The first phase, costing RM3 million, was fully completed in November 2025.

The second phase, involving an allocation of RM5 million for 333 boarding schools, was fully completed in September this year, while the third phase, scheduled for next year, will involve an allocation of RM15 million covering 1,000 schools.

“Many have called on the MOE to install more CCTV cameras in schools, as though this facility had never been implemented. As I have stated, it will continue to be expanded next year.

“The MOE has also ordered inspections, repairs and replacements of damaged units,” she said.

CCTV Not a Complete Solution to School Safety Issues

Fadhlina said, however, that CCTV cameras were not a complete solution to school safety issues but were intended to assist in monitoring and investigations.

She said school safety also depended on patrols, access control, compliance with SOPs, discipline and vigilance among the entire school community.

The MOE therefore welcomed cooperation from Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG), communities and corporate organisations seeking to help improve CCTV facilities at schools, subject to security needs and requirements.

“This does not mean that responsibility is being shifted to others. The government will continue to fulfil its responsibilities, but if there are parties who wish to work together to improve the safety of our children, we greatly welcome their assistance,” she said.

Irene Sofiya Was an Excellent Student

Meanwhile, Fadhlina said Irene Sofiya had an excellent academic record and no disciplinary issues.

Based on feedback from the school, she said the late Irene Sofiya was a good student who was well-liked by her teachers and friends.

“This loss is certainly deeply felt, not only by her family but by the entire school community who knew her,” she said.

Only Child Who Lost Her Mother at Age Nine

Irene Sofiya was an only child who lost her mother to liver cancer when she was nine years old.

The media reported yesterday that Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal, 16, was found dead beneath the stage in the school hall in what is believed to have been a murder.

The victim was found by her grandmother, who went to the school after realising that her granddaughter had not returned home following an additional class at about 5.30pm two days ago.

Following the incident, three 16-year-old male students believed to have links to the case were arrested several hours after the female student’s body was found.

A Form Four male student was remanded for six days by the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court to allow further investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

Berita Harian