KUALA LUMPUR – Police have initiated an investigation under Section 507B of the Penal Code following the death of a 14-year-old secondary school student in Wangsa Maju, after allegations emerged that she had allegedly been subjected to bullying and racial taunts at school.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the investigation was opened after the teenager’s mother lodged a police report at about 7.49pm on Aug 19, a day after her daughter’s death.
The case was initially classified as a sudden death.
“Following the report, police from the criminal investigation division of the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters conducted an investigation into the case,” he said in a statement today.
“A total of 92 witness statements have been recorded to assist in the investigation.”
The case is being investigated under Section 507B of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of three years, a fine, or both, for offences involving communications or acts intended to cause harassment, distress, fear or alarm.
The teenager died following an incident at her family home in Jalan Langkawi at about 1.59am on Aug 18.
Police received a distress call from her mother before the girl was rushed by ambulance to the emergency department of Kuala Lumpur Hospital, where she received immediate medical attention.
She was later pronounced dead at 2.25am by the medical officer on duty.
A post-mortem examination was subsequently conducted to establish the cause of death.
The case has attracted widespread public attention following claims that the student had allegedly faced bullying and racial harassment at school.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has directed an expedited investigation into the matter, while PKR Youth chief Kamil Munim said the tragedy should prompt broader reflection on issues surrounding racism and discrimination.
Fadil urged the public to refrain from speculation while police investigations are ongoing.
“Members of the public are advised not to make any speculation regarding the incident,” he said.
Those with information related to the case can contact the investigating officer ASP Baldev Singh Gurdial Singh at 03-9289 9222 or 012-480 6062, the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-2115 9999, or the nearest police station.