JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 4 — The Johor State Education Department (JPNJ) has been told to extend full cooperation to assist investigations into the death of a Form Four female student at a secondary school in Yong Peng, Batu Pahat, yesterday.

State Education and Information Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said JPNJ and the District Education Office should also provide the necessary support to the victim’s family and the affected school community.

He said the state government viewed the incident seriously, especially as it involved the safety and welfare of students within the school area.

“I wish to emphasise that there will be no compromise on any form of bullying, violence or criminal acts that threaten the safety of the school community.

“… however, whether this incident involves such elements must be determined based on the outcome of official investigations rather than speculation,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Dr Muhammad Naqib said schools must remain safe places to pursue their education, build their future and be in an environment that safeguards their safety and well-being.

He also conveyed his condolences to the victim’s family over the heartbreaking tragedy and expressed hope that they would be given strength and resilience in facing this difficult time.

According to media reports, a Form Four female student was found dead, believed to have been murdered, at a secondary school in Yong Peng, near here, yesterday.

Police, however, have yet to issue any official statement regarding the incident. — Bernama

*Editor’s note: JPNJ is the Malay abbreviation of Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Johor.