Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said although the school was not registered under the ministry, the issue was still deemed related to the country’s education system.
“We extend our condolences to the family of the student involved. Although I was made to understand that the school is not registered, it is still an education institution that has students and teachers.
“This matter is certainly beyond our expectation because it involves an offence. We leave it (the matter) to the police,” he said when met by Bernama after the Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato Onn here yesterday.
Thaqif, 11, whose legs were amputated on Friday to prevent infection, died at 2.05pm at the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Bahru today, where he had sought treatment.
His right arm was also severely infected and it was scheduled to be amputated yesterday morning. The surgery had to be postponed due to the unstable condition of his heart.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the case was now classified as murder.
The assistant warden has been further remanded to facilitate police investigations into the murder.