[UPDATED] Fadhlina denies claims Irene was dragged from surau to school hall

KUALA LUMPUR: Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek has denied speculation on social media that 16-year-old Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal was dragged from a surau to the school hall where she was found.

She also denied claims that glass at the surau had been broken in connection with the incident.

Fadhlina said the claims were among several pieces of information circulating about the case that needed to be corrected.

She wants the public to exercise caution before sharing unverified information.

"I ask 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 process.

"Let us not add to their pain with speculation," she told a press conference today.

Fadhlina said matters relating to the criminal investigation should be left entirely to the police.

She said the Education Ministry would cooperate fully with the investigation and provide any information required by the authorities.

"What the police are investigating, we leave to the police. What falls under the Education Ministry, we will answer," she said.

Fadhlina said the ministry would not determine whether anyone was guilty, pre-empt prosecution or pass judgement outside the legal process.

However, she said the ministry would investigate matters under its jurisdiction, including school security, CCTV coverage, security controls, compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs), discipline and school management.

Fadhlina wants the public to exercise particular caution when commenting on the students involved, as they are minors and the investigation is still ongoing.

She also declined to comment on social media claims concerning the family background of one of the students under investigation.

She said the matter should be left to the police.

"Do not try or punish them in advance through social media before the legal process is completed," she said.

Fadhlina said the ministry's priority was to establish the facts and ensure accountability for any shortcomings that fell within its jurisdiction.

"If there are gaps, we will fix them. If SOPs were not followed, we will take action. If there was negligence, there must be accountability," she said.

She also called for justice for Irene, saying the truth surrounding her death must be established.

"For Irene Sofiya, our responsibility now is clear: the truth must be uncovered and justice must be upheld," she said.

Irene Sofiya was found in critical condition before she was pronounced dead.

She was suspected to have been murdered after several injuries were found on her body.

Earlier, the victim's grandmother and aunt rushed to look for her after two of her friends went to the house asking about her whereabouts.

This was after only the victim's motorcycle was found on the school grounds.

Following the incident, Irene Sofiya's 16-year-old male classmate was arrested and remanded for six days from yesterday to assist in investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code.