SEREMBAN, Sept 26 — Police have classified the death of a Form Two student at a school in Kuala Pilah as murder and detained a 16-year-old student to assist investigations.

Negeri Sembilan police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said preliminary investigations indicated that the incident took place at the school hostel at about 8pm yesterday, The Star reported.

The victim was subsequently taken to Kuala Pilah Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“We are probing the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder,” Alzafny said in a statement.

Police are examining the available evidence to establish what happened and determine the circumstances and motive behind the incident.

Alzafny urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information, warning that doing so could interfere with the investigation and intrude on the privacy of the families involved.

“The police take any incident of violence involving students seriously, particularly incidents resulting in the loss of life,” he said.

“The police urge any individual with information regarding the incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.”

He said the force’s priority was to ensure the investigation was carried out professionally, thoroughly and on the basis of evidence.

The case has drawn heightened attention following concerns over the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.

The Education Ministry has ordered an immediate audit of the school, while Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry and school would cooperate fully with police.

The ministry has also urged the public to allow investigators to establish the facts, amid speculation online over whether bullying may have been involved.

Authorities have not publicly established bullying as the cause of the student’s death.