Motive identified, cause of death still unknown as Kuala Pilah hostel probe awaits further tests

SEREMBAN: Police now have an early picture of what set off the incident at the hostel of a sports school in Kuala Pilah, but still cannot explain how a 14-year-old Form Two student died.

Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said preliminary investigations found that the incident was believed to have stemmed from a senior student wanting to punish the victim over an alleged breach of hostel rules.

Kosmo! reported that, based on the early findings, the punishment was not intended to cause death.

"However, the actual cause of death has yet to be determined," Alzafny said when contacted by the newspaper.

Inconclusive post-mortem

A post-mortem at the Forensic Medicine Department of Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar in Seremban, carried out from 10.30am to 3pm yesterday, could not establish the cause of death, Malay Mail reported. Police are now awaiting the results of further tests.

The gap between motive and cause of death matters. The case is still being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which covers murder. The classification of a case can, however, change depending on the findings of the investigation and the prosecution's decision.

A 16-year-old Form Four student has been remanded for six days until Oct 1 to assist investigations. No charges have been filed against him so far, and remand is not proof of guilt.

Police have also recorded statements from 21 people, including students, teachers and the victim's parents.

Who enforces hostel discipline?

The motive disclosed by police raises questions about hostel practices, namely the extent to which senior students are given a role, formally or informally, in enforcing rules on younger pupils.

The Education Ministry earlier directed the Schools Inspectorate to carry out an immediate audit of safety and procedural compliance at the school. Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said no party would be protected if misconduct was found.

The scope of the audit, including whether it will examine warden supervision and the role of senior students in hostel discipline, has not been detailed.