By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 28: Police have found no evidence linking bullying to the case of a 16-year-old student who allegedly injured a teacher with an axe at a private school here on Oct 21.
Acting Sarawak Police Commissioner DCP Saifullizan Ishak said the motive behind the incident had yet to be established, as police were awaiting a forensic psychiatric assessment of the student.
“We have not found any evidence so far linking bullying to the incident.
“Police are conducting a detailed investigation to establish the cause of the incident and gather relevant evidence. At this stage, preliminary findings indicate that the incident stemmed from the suspect experiencing depression,” he told a press conference at the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters here today.
Saifullizan said police had completed their investigation and submitted the investigation papers to the Sarawak Deputy Public Prosecutor on Oct 26. The case is now under review by the prosecution.
He stressed that the decision on whether the student would be charged rested with the Public Prosecutor, who would consider the investigation findings and the psychiatric assessment report.
“The psychiatrists will prepare their report, and the Public Prosecutor will determine whether the suspect should be charged. The police are responsible for conducting the investigation,” he explained.
The incident occurred at about 7.50am on Oct 21, when the student allegedly brought firecrackers to the school and injured a 42-year-old teacher with an axe.
Saifullizan said that the teacher sustained a cut to her left hand, but the injury did not involve the muscles or bones. She received treatment at a private hospital in Kuching and has since been discharged.
“The student was arrested at the scene and remains in hospital for treatment and assessment by medical specialists, including psychiatrists,” he disclosed.
Saifullizan said police had recorded statements from 38 witnesses, including students, teachers, security guards, medical specialists and the subject’s parents.
Items seized in connection with the case included an axe, a knife, firecrackers, a computer and electronic gadgets recovered from the student’s home. The items had been sent to the Chemistry Department for forensic analysis.
He said investigations found that the student had purchased the axe online, describing it as an ordinary axe. The explosive items were, at this stage, classified as firecrackers.
Police were also awaiting forensic analysis of the seized smartphone and computer.
On the question of motive, Saifullizan said police could not draw any conclusions until the forensic psychiatric assessment was completed.
“We need a forensic psychiatric assessment to establish the motive, and that process is still ongoing,” he said.
He urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information about the case, stressing that the suspect was a minor and that the authorities had to comply with the relevant laws governing such cases.
Saifullizan also addressed reports circulating on social media that the victim had instructed a lawyer to issue letters to social media pages and individuals who had shared videos and images of the attack.
He said police had not received any report concerning the matter so far, adding that the victim was entitled to take legal action if he wished.
The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958. — DayakDaily
