MCPF calls for inquiry into student's death
Published on: Friday, April 28, 2017
Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) wants a commission of inquiry to be set up to investigate the murder of tahfiz student Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi after the 11-year-old was alleged to have been brutally abused by an assistant warden at a religious school hostel in Kota Tinggi, Johor.MCPF Senior Vice-Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the commission could also give teachers and parents an opportunity to express their views and information on the case.He said besides looking at the aspects of protection for the students, discipline and school management, the commission could also submit a comprehensive report and recommendations to the Government for improvement.
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"There are many issues involving religious (tahfiz) schools which are not monitored by the (education) ministry or state governments, and (hence) the Government must set up a commission of inquiry to fully investigate this case," he added in a statement here, Thursday.Pending the setting up of the commission, school authorities, parents and members of the community must work together to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents in the future, noted Lee.Lee said the authorities must take stern action against schools and staff who did not perform their duties in accordance with the regulations set up under the law.He also proposed that a background check be conducted on every school warden and discipline teacher so that those with mental and criminal issues were not hired.
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"School authorities should cooperate with the police and hospital in the screening process to ensure that only those who are mentally and physically fit are employed."Lee also urged the school authorities to install closed-circuit television camera sets in school compounds to monitor activities without infringing on the privacy of students and staff, as well as advise parents to be concerned over their children's welfare.
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"What happened recently should be a lesson to all of us that stringent laws alone cannot solve the problem of abuse among children if we do not carry out our responsibilities well," he said.Mohamad Thaqif Amin died at 2.05pm on Wednesday at the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Bahru, where he had sought medical treatment on April 19 for injuries sustained in the alleged abuse.His legs were amputated due to bacterial infection and he was scheduled to undergo another operation to amputate his right hand from the fingers to the elbow.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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