KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has demanded an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into the death of 16-year-old secondary student Irene Sofiya Mohd Khairoul Faisal, who was found dead with injuries inside a school hall in Yong Peng, Johor yesterday.
In a poignant Facebook post, the Prime Minister extended his deepest condolences to the grieving family of the Form Four student, praying they find strength and fortitude during this agonizing ordeal.
Sending a clear signal that violence within educational institutions will meet the full force of the law, Anwar insisted on total accountability from investigators.
“If there are elements of a crime, firm action must be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.
Anwar emphasized that the safety of children remains a non-negotiable priority for his administration and a shared duty across society.
“The government will not compromise on ensuring their safety and wellbeing,” he added.
The gruesome discovery unfolded at around 5.30 pm yesterday when Irene Sofiya was found lifeless with visible physical injuries inside her school’s hall—believed to have been murdered.
The victim was discovered by her distraught grandmother and a friend, who had rushed to the school grounds after the 16-year-old failed to return home long after her extra classes had concluded.
Second tragic school incident within a week
The horrific death of Irene Sofiya has sent shockwaves through the nation and reignited acute anxiety over campus security, coming as the second student death on school premises within just seven days.
On September 25, a Form Two male student was found unconscious in a boarding school dorm in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan, before being pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. That case sparked an ongoing homicide investigation, leading to the remand of two 16-year-old male suspects.
The rapid succession of violent incidents inside Malaysian schools in under a week has brought mounting public scrutiny on campus safety protocols and sparked urgent calls for comprehensive security reforms. – October 4, 2026