KUCHING, Oct 22 — Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah has urged the public to refrain from circulating videos of a recent school incident in Kuching involving a male student, warning that doing so could violate the child’s rights and expose those involved to further distress and online harassment.
Fatimah stressed that social media should not become a platform for public shaming or trial by public opinion, adding that members of the public should exercise restraint and avoid speculation while the matter is being investigated by the relevant authorities.
“The adolescent involved is still growing and developing. While harmful behaviour must be addressed, we must not be quick to condemn, label, or shame a young person without understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident,” she said in a statement.
On Wednesday, police confirmed that investigations are underway involving a 16-year-old male student, who allegedly attacked a teacher with an axe at an international school in Kuching, following a report received at 8.03am through the MERS 999 emergency line.
Acting Sarawak Police Commissioner DCP Saifullizan Ishak said the case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, as well as Section 6(1) of the Explosives Act 1957.
Fatimah said accountability and compassion are not mutually exclusive, emphasising that school safety must be upheld while ensuring the student is treated with dignity and receives appropriate guidance and support.
She also expressed concern over a statement reportedly shared by the student on Facebook expressing feelings of loneliness and isolation, saying that such expressions should not be dismissed.
“I am particularly concerned by the words reportedly shared by the adolescent on Facebook: ‘I have no one. I have no significant other. I have no one to rely on. I was born alone and will die alone’,” she quoted.
“Every child deserves to feel valued, heard, and supported. When a young person says, ‘I have no one,’ our response should be to help them access the support they need, not to deepen their sense of isolation.”
Fatimah said the responsibility was twofold: ensuring schools remained safe places for teachers and students while giving young people facing difficulties the opportunity to receive appropriate support and move forward constructively.
She acknowledged the continued efforts of teachers, school administrators, and the relevant authorities to safeguard teachers and students, stressing that any incident involving violence or the use of a weapon must be taken seriously and addressed appropriately to protect the entire school community.
She added that the ministry remains committed to promoting an environment where safety, dignity, compassion, and accountability go hand in hand.
“Let us choose responsibility over sensationalism, guidance over humiliation, and compassion without compromising safety,” she said. — The Borneo Post
* If you are lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, Befrienders offers free and confidential support 24 hours a day. A full list of Befrienders contact numbers and state operating hours is available here: www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia. There are also free hotlines for young people: Talian Kasih at 15999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR)(daily 12pm-12am); Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); and Jakim’s Family, Social and Community Care Centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214).