SEBERANG JAYA: ‘This is not a suicide, this is a murder!’ the Malaysian Tamilar Kural (MTL) president thundered on Thursday, following the death of a 14-year-old schoolgirl who died after being in a coma since Jan 24.
David Marshel slammed what he called inaction by the Education Department and the police for not investigating a teacher who had accused the girl of stealing her iPhone last week – a charge the girl vehemently denied.
The Form Two girl passed away at the Seberang Jaya Hospital at 3.30am on Thursday, prompting David to demand that police take action against the teacher and her husband for allegedly threatening and striking the student, to the point that she attempted suicide at her home last week.
“We lodged a police report last week, about four days ago. And yet, till today, we have not heard anything from the Education Department or the police.
“Why the silence? Why have they not responded to queries made by newsmen so far? Are they trying to cover (something) up?
“This is considered a high-profile case. Malaysians are looking at this. (The authorities) must respond and take necessary action,” he said when met at the hospital here.
A student at a school in Nibong Tebal, the girl had apparently been summoned by four teachers last Wednesday and quizzed over the disappearance of one of the teachers' mobile phones.
Despite her repeated denials, one of the teachers reportedly struck the student for failing to own up to the theft.
The teacher and her husband – who is a teacher from another school – allegedly threatened to lodge a police report on the matter.
The girl, however, maintained her innocence and her father, Muniandy, who was told about the case later, was adamant that she did not do it.
Overcome with emotion, the girl later tried to hang herself at home. She was found unconscious but alive by Muniandy, who rushed her to hospital. She died without ever regaining consciousness.
Her funeral is expected to be held tomorrow.
David said that MTL will provide a lawyer for the family to advise them on the next course of action.
“We demand justice. We have launched a campaign to inform the people about this case.
“This is not an isolated case, as there are other similar cases. This teacher had emotionally bullied the child until she decided to take her own life,” he added.