REJECTED romantic advances are the main suspected motive behind the killing of 16-year-old Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairool Faisal at a school in Batu Pahat, with police alleging that her male classmate repeatedly struck her with a metal bar, including on the head.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the 96cm bar, normally used to close a cabinet door, was found with its upper end wrapped in tie fabric believed to have been fashioned into a handle.
The victim also had injuries on her hands and body consistent with attempts to defend herself during the alleged attack.
“Based on our investigation, we believe there was a struggle between the victim and the suspect. This follows the presence of defensive injuries on the victim’s body. Investigations also found that the victim was not raped by the suspect,” he said at a press conference at the Johor police contingent headquarters today.
Police seized the metal bar and several other items, including a mobile phone, clothing bearing bloodstains, a motorcycle key, the victim’s Additional Mathematics book and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination practice questions.
Ab Rahaman said investigators were also examining claims that the victim had a relationship with the suspect’s close friend.
“However, this matter will continue to be examined as investigations are ongoing. So far, police have found that the suspect acted alone, but whether the crime was planned in advance or happened spontaneously remains under investigation,” he said.
The suspect had no disciplinary record at the school, he added. Any decision on whether the teenager should undergo a psychiatric assessment would be for the court to consider.
The investigation papers were expected to be submitted to the Johor state prosecution office today for further instructions on possible charges.
Earlier, the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court granted a further six days’ remand for the suspect to assist investigations into the alleged murder inside the hall of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Seth.
The teenager had initially been remanded for six days from Sunday under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which concerns murder. - October 9, 2026
