Four male students accused of being involved in a gang rape at a secondary school in Alor Gajah will still be allowed to sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed this week.
Speaking to reporters, Fadhlina said the ministry’s decision was made to uphold the students’ right to education, despite the seriousness of the allegations.
“SPM will proceed as planned. We will ensure they do not fall behind in their education even though the investigation is ongoing,” she said, adding that the students will not be sitting for the papers in their regular school.
According to the Education Ministry, the four students—who have since been expelled—will take their exams at a separate designated venue under strict supervision. The decision, Fadhlina explained, aims to balance the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ with the need to maintain safety and fairness for other candidates.
Incident at Melaka school
The case stems from an alleged gang rape involving a 15-year-old female student and four Form 5 boys at a secondary school in Alor Gajah earlier this month.
The assault reportedly took place in a classroom and was recorded on a mobile phone, sparking outrage after the video allegedly circulated among students.
The victim’s mother lodged a police report soon after, leading to the arrest and remand of the suspects, all aged 17. Investigations were referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for charge consideration.
Two suspects charged, one pleads guilty
On 16 October, two of the four students were formally charged at the Alor Gajah Juvenile Court.
They face multiple offences, including:
- Gang rape under Section 375B of the Penal Code
- Carnal intercourse against the order of nature under Section 377B
- Sexual assault under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017
Of the two accused, one pleaded guilty to all three charges. The other pleaded not guilty and the court fixed a trial date for him.
Bail was set at RM7,000 (RM4,000 for the first charge, RM1,500 each for the other two) after the prosecution initially sought much higher bail.
The court scheduled 26 November for the case mention, and to receive documents and probation reports.
The AGC confirmed there was sufficient evidence to prosecute. The AGC indicated that the remaining two suspects will also be charged in due course.
New Developments & Reactions
The Education Ministry says the victim is receiving support, including psycho-social services and medical care. To stem further harm, Fadhlina has requested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) block the dissemination of videos related to the case.
The Education Department and district offices are coordinating where the accused will sit their SPM. They say it could possibly be in a detention centre or another controlled environment.
School safety reforms are being fast-tracked: new safety guidelines are expected by December, surprise inspections are being intensified, and a Special School Safety Committee involving UNICEF, SUHAKAM, and others has been formed.
However, public backlash continues to mount. Critics argue the decision weakens deterrence and fails the victim. Some call for the accused to be barred from taking SPM until investigations conclude.
Another Rape Case in Baling, Kedah
Police arrested four teenagers for suspected gang rape and circulation of pornographic content on social media. The new case occurred in Kedah, and three out of the four accused are students of a school in Baling.
A 53-year-old-man alerted authorities of viral videos showing a child in the nude on Sunday. The man was the victim’s father. Police remanded four suspects linked to the incident and seized handphones.
As of now, the case has been reclassified as statutory rape under Section 376 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 8 of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017.
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
Johor Primary School Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Molesting Three Students
Girl, 13, Found Tied in School Toilet After Alleged Bullying; Two Schoolmates Detained
“He Bought the Weapons Online”: Investigations Unravel Details of Fatal Stabbing in Malaysia School
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