Murdered schoolgirl was well-liked, good student, says friend

The friend said the 16-year-old victim's absence during an extra class session had initially raised little concern among classmates, who assumed she was unwell. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 04 Oct 2026 11:14 AM MYT

BATU PAHAT, Oct 4 — A Form Four student found dead in a secondary school in Yong Peng yesterday was among the school's top academic performers and had been expected to achieve straight As in her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination next year, according to a classmate. 

The friend said the 16-year-old victim's absence during an extra class session had initially raised little concern among classmates, who assumed she was unwell. 

A teacher had asked about the student's whereabouts during the lesson, but none of the pupils knew why she was absent, the classmate said. 

“I only later learned that she had not returned home. At the time, I never imagined that anything serious had happened to her,” the student said. 

The friend recalled that a teacher contacted students after sunset to ask about the timing of the additional classes, prompting suspicions that something was wrong. 

“When I asked the teacher why, I was eventually told that something bad had happened at the school. I was shocked and never expected such an incident could occur,” the student said. 

Describing the victim, the friend said she was highly focused on her studies and actively involved in school activities. Her academic record had led many to believe she was capable of obtaining straight As in next year's national examination. 

“She was dedicated to her studies and active in school programmes. That is why we still cannot believe what has happened. We can still picture her face and never thought we would lose her,” the friend said. 

The girl was found dead at about 5.30pm on Thursday inside the school's hall, with injuries on her body. Police are treating the case as a murder. 

She was discovered by her grandmother and a friend who went to the school after becoming concerned when she failed to return home following the end of extra classes. 

According to the report, the victim had been living with her grandmother after her mother died of cancer several years ago, while her father works in Kuala Lumpur. 

The victim was reportedly found with dried blood on her body and bruises consistent with an assault. A broken flower pot was also found near the scene.