Suhakam wants guidelines for missing students after teen’s death

Suhakam’s children’s commissioners today urged the education ministry to establish guidelines for dealing with missing students, following the murder of a Form 4 student in Johor last weekend.

In a statement, the commissioners called for guidelines that would define immediate search parameters, coordinate roles and specify timelines for parental and administrative notifications.

They said the guidelines should also indicate when the police are to be roped in, and urged the ministry to carry out targeted after-school risk assessments.

“This evaluation is specifically tailored to activities taking place outside regular school hours, taking into account lower staffing levels, movement across school grounds, and isolated or under-supervised areas,” they said.

Sixteen-year-old Irene Sofiya Khairoul Faisal was found in the school hall by her grandmother, who went to search for her when she did not return home from a tuition class.

Federal police, who are investigating her death for murder, say the teenager died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Three 16-year-old male students were arrested to assist in the murder probe. One of them has been remanded until Oct 9.

Suhakam’s children’s commissioners urged the education ministry to roll out safeguarding audits that go beyond conventional security checks to evaluate student movement reporting mechanisms and identify “blind spots” at facilities.

“A nationwide familiarisation programme should be implemented to ensure that students understand the school’s child protection policy, their rights to safety and protection, how to recognise and report bullying, abuse, harassment and other safeguarding concerns, and where to seek help.”

They said schools must also maintain clear oversight of student presence during extra classes, co-curricular sessions, sports training and late afternoon activities.