Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek has denied claims that 16-year-old Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal was dragged from a surau to a school hall during the incident that led to her death in Yong Peng, Batu Pahat.
Fadhlina said the information circulating on social media was untrue, while stressing that the investigation is being handled by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) with full cooperation from the Education Ministry.
“I want to take this opportunity to correct some information currently circulating about the case, as it is not true,” she said during a press conference at the Parliament Media Centre today.
She specifically dismissed claims that Irene had been dragged from the surau to the hall where she was found, as well as allegations that the surau’s windows had been smashed.
Fadhlina urged the public to exercise caution before sharing information about the case, particularly as the investigation involves a grieving family and several underage students.
“We are talking about a child who has died, a family that is grieving and several underage students who are going through an investigation. We should not add to their pain through speculation,” she said.
Irene, a Form Four student, was found dead inside a school in Yong Peng, Batu Pahat, on Saturday. Her grandmother reportedly went to the school after becoming concerned that Irene had not returned home.
The teenager was an only child and had lost her mother to liver cancer when she was eight. Her late mother was a doctor who had served at Serdang Hospital, while her father works as an engineer in Bangi.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Irene’s death.
