Teachers recount heroic response in closed-door trial of fatal Bandar Utama school stabbing

FOUR teachers today gave evidence in the closed-door trial of a 15-year-old boy charged with murdering a 16-year-old female student at a school in Bandar Utama last year, recounting their actions during the emergency.

The witnesses — Nursyazwani Saari, Syaza Sahira Abdul Jalil, Muhammad Alif Abdul Razak and Mohd Qauyyum Firdaus Juhar — described the fatal stabbing incident and events that took place inside and around the school toilet.

Lawyer Kitson Foong, who represents the teenager, said the in-camera proceedings centred on the teachers’ accounts of what happened during the incident and their immediate response afterwards.

He said the teachers testified about their attempts to stop the teenager’s actions, bring the situation under control and take possession of the knife involved.

"One of the teachers also testified about helping to place the victim (the 16-year-old female student) onto a stretcher," New Straits Times reported him saying.

"That was the part of the incident that took place inside the school from the perspective of the teachers involved."

Foong said only limited clarification was required during cross-examination.

After the conclusion of the teachers’ testimony, he praised their courage and quick response in handling the distressing incident.

"Everyone was clearly frightened. These teachers deserve praise for their courage, which serves as an example to members of the teaching profession.

"Give them the recognition they deserve. They should be commended for their bravery and the assistance they provided," he said.

The teenager, whose identity and photograph cannot be revealed due to his age, was brought to court from the Puncak Alam Correctional Centre, a juvenile detention facility.

The proceedings are being conducted in camera.

The accused is charged with murdering his schoolmate inside the female toilet of SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4), Bandar Utama, between 9.20 am and 9.35 am on October 14 last year.

The victim was a Form Four student from a transition class.

The charge carries a possible sentence of death or imprisonment for between 30 and 40 years, as well as 12 strokes of whipping upon conviction.

However, under Section 97(1) of the Child Act 2001, the death penalty cannot be imposed on an individual who was below 18 years old at the time of committing the offence.

Instead, Section 97(2) provides that a convicted child offender may be detained for a period determined by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

According to NST, Foong said two child witnesses are expected to testify when the trial resumes tomorrow before High Court Judge Adlin Abdul Majid.

The prosecution is being conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Ahmad Iqbal Azman, while Foong is assisted by lawyers Chew Jee San, Angel Choo and Yan Zhi Wei.

Lawyer Jason Lim Jie Sheng appeared as an observing counsel on behalf of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM). - August 4, 2026