KUCHING: Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Kho Teck Wan, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Kuching native Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara, a university student who was found dead in her dormitory at the University of Cyberjaya on Tuesday. The preliminary investigation revealed that the 23-year-old undergraduate suffered fatal blunt force trauma to the head.
Kho said that based on updates from the authorities, there was no sign of forced entry into the room. Three individuals have been arrested to assist in the investigation, one of whom is the boyfriend of the deceased’s roommate. It was also confirmed that the condominium’s corridor was not equipped with surveillance cameras and that the lift’s CCTV was faulty and not operational at the time of the incident.
She raised serious concern over the lack of adequate safety measures in student accommodations, including non-functioning security cameras and poorly lit common areas. “The university must carry out a thorough and honest review of the living conditions at its student dormitories and make immediate improvements to ensure the safety of its residents,” she urged.
Kho also cited multiple Malaysian studies and official sources indicating that 60 percent to over 80 percent of sexual assault cases are committed by someone known to the victim. She noted, however, that preliminary investigations in this case found no signs of sexual assault.
“I call on the authorities to handle this investigation with the utmost transparency and respect for the victim and her family. Justice must be served,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of personal safety, particularly for students living alone, and called on all institutions of higher learning nationwide to reassess the security and living conditions of their student accommodations.
“We must not wait for another tragedy before taking action. I strongly urge the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources to establish stringent safety standards for all student dormitories and hostels. Regular audits must be carried out to ensure that these safety measures are not only in place but are fully functional and effective,” she added.
By Connie Chieng