A full report on the death of a Year Three pupil who fell into an open sewer at a school in Lenggeng will be submitted immediately for action and investigation.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Negeri Sembilan State Education Department (JPNS) are taking full responsibility for the incident and will implement necessary measures to prevent a recurrence.
“We take full responsibility to investigate this matter in detail. A complete report will be submitted promptly for further action to ensure such incidents do not happen again,” she said after spending about 20 minutes visiting the family of the late Abdul Fattah Khairol Rizal at Kampung Masjid, Lenggeng, on Sunday.
Also present were Education Director-General Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad, Director of Daily School Management Datuk Amzan Abd Malek and JPNS Director Khalidah Omar.
Fadhlina said the MoE had previously carried out safety audits in schools through its Institutional Safety Reform Committee.
“This matter has always been under the ministry’s attention, so when incidents like this occur, it signals that we must give it our full focus. On behalf of the MoE, I offer my condolences to the family and pray for them to be given strength and patience during this loss,” she said.
She also expressed appreciation to all parties, especially individuals who bravely entered the sewer to rescue the victim.
On Saturday morning, the school’s sports event turned chaotic after the victim, nine-year-old Abdul Fattah Khairol Rizal, fell into the sewer. The boy, son of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association chairman, reportedly fell when stepping on a fiber-type manhole cover on the school grounds at around 9 a.m.
Lenggeng assemblyman Datuk Mohd Asna Amin, who was at the venue to officiate the event, rushed to the scene to help rescue the boy.
Meanwhile, the victim’s mother, Norfazila Md Lajin, 43, expressed gratitude for the concern shown by the MoE, especially the minister, and by members of the public who have offered moral support to the family.
“Thank you to the MoE, especially the minister who visited us, and to the many parties who gave support, which makes us feel we are not alone in facing this difficult time. During the visit, Fadhlina informed us she had instructed the Negeri Sembilan Education Director to assist with the insurance claims and liaise closely with the Public Works Department to ensure a thorough investigation,” she said.
