GUA MUSANG, Aug 27 — The seven Orang Asli pupils who were believed to have fled into the jungle because they feared punishment for swimming in a river without permission, are still missing.
The search efforts, which entered its second day, by the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) members, teachers, and villagers including the pupils’ families, continued today at 7am.
The seven pupils comprising six girls and one boy aged between seven and eleven are staying at the hostel of Sekolah Kebangsaan Pos Tohoi here.
They are from Kampung Pos Tohoi, Gawing, Penat, Sedal, Simpol, Jadil and Langsat.
They were believed to have gone to a nearby river to bath without seeking permission from the school.
A teacher subsequently lodged a police report on their disappearance at 2.25am on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters when met at Pos Tohoi today, district deputy education officer Marakas Medee Che Ab Rahman said they were saddened by the incident.
“They actually went to the river at 3pm on Saturday, some 25 pupils, but after they were spotted by the school warden, all of them returned to the hostel and only seven pupils, who were afraid of being punished, fled the hostel believed on Sunday morning,” he said.
He said they failed to show up for school on Sunday. — Bernama
