KUALA LUMPUR – The Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) has demanded that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Education Director-General Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad be held responsible if systemic failings are uncovered by the special committee investigating the fatal stabbing of a Form Four student in Bandar Utama.
Speaking to Scoop, PAGE chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim emphasised that while the formation of the committee was a necessary first step, the ministry should not treat it as a mere public relations exercise.
“If the committee finds that weaknesses within the system contributed to this tragedy, both Fadhlina and the director-general must be held accountable. Leadership means taking responsibility, not just offering condolences after the fact,” she stated.
Azimah highlighted that the ministry must adopt a proactive approach, addressing the root causes of school violence, such as poor supervision, weak disciplinary structures, and inadequate mental health support.
“Forming committees after tragedies happen is not enough. The approach must be holistic and preventive,” she added.
She called for discipline teachers to be trained not just to punish, but to prevent, de-escalate, and rehabilitate students in distress.
“They should be behavioural managers and counsellors, not merely enforcers of rules. In today’s environment, where violence, bullying, and digital misconduct are more sophisticated, punitive measures alone are no longer effective,” Azimah said.
Azimah also stressed the importance of transparency in the handling of the case, urging that the committee’s findings be made public.
“Netizens will ensure the committee remains truly independent and not just a formality,” she noted.
She further suggested that the curriculum be reformed, advocating for an overhaul of Moral and Islamic Education to incorporate lessons on empathy, consent, and digital behaviour.
“This tragedy is a wake-up call. Prevention and character education must be embedded in school culture, not triggered only after lives are lost,” Azimah remarked.
Earlier, the Education Ministry announced the formation of a special committee to investigate the incident, which occurred at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4) on the morning of October 14, 2025.
In a statement, Fadhlina extended her condolences to the victim’s family and revealed that a team of counsellors had been mobilised to provide psychosocial support to the school community. She also confirmed that the ministry would cooperate fully with the police during the investigation.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya district police chief Shamsudin Mamat told Scoop that the 16-year-old victim had been stabbed multiple times by a 14-year-old student from the same school.
Two sharp weapons believed to have been used in the attack were seized by the police. No one else was harmed. The motive for the attack is still under investigation, though initial findings suggest no indication of bullying. – October 14, 2025