THE DEATH of a 17-year-old vocational school student in Lahad Datu last Friday is believed have occurred after a dispute took place over some missing money, according to the police.
Lahad Datu police chief ACP Dr Rohan Shah Ahmad said that the teenager, Mohammad Nazmie Aizzat, had been attacked by his hostel mates over some RM85 which could not be found.
“The incident arose from a misunderstanding between Nazmie and a group of dormitory residents regarding the disappearance of the money.
"Allegedly, two students had reported losses amounting to RM50 and RM35 respectively, prompting tensions to escalate.
"Nazmie was subsequently accused of theft and allegedly subjected to a fatal assault by multiple suspects,” he said in Lahad Datu, a district on the eastern side of Sabah, late yesterday.
Nazmie was found on the floor in the dormitory with injuries and bruises on his body.
Thirteen youths, aged 16 to 19, residing at the hostel were detained.
The Lahad Datu Magistrate's Court granted a six-day remand on all of them starting yesterday to aid in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
“The testimonies of the dormitory wardens, security personnel, and fellow students, are important to piece together the events leading up to Nazmie's demise.
“Preliminary drug screenings conducted on the suspects returned negative results, and authorities have seized twelve smartphones belonging to them as part of the ongoing inquiry,” said Rohan.
A post-mortem has been conducted and the police are now waiting for the forensic report to determine the precise cause of death.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said that it has taken immediate action by providing welfare assistance to the victim's family.
"Psychosocial support has been offered to the family members, other students, teachers and all college students," it said in a statement.
It added that it is ready to provide full cooperation in the investigation, stressing that it will not compromise with misconduct such as bullying at all educational institutions under its management.
“The MOE expresses sadness and condolences to the family of the victim, a vocational college student in Sabah," it said.
"The death of the victim is still under investigation by the authorities, and the MOE is ready to provide full cooperation." – The Vibes, March 24, 2024
