'Father saw tears in teen's eyes when he spoke to her'

A 13-year-old student, who attempted suicide after being accused of stealing her teacher's mobile phone, is still in critical condition but not brain dead.

“According to her father, she responded when he talked to her. He saw tears in her eyes,” Seberang Perai Municipal (MPSP) councillor Sates Muniandy told Malaysiakini this afternoon.

The Batu Kawan DAP secretary, who is helping the Form One student's family seek justice, said doctors are doing their best to save her life.

The school's Teachers-Parents Association president Teoh Seang Hooi said the girl's condition remained the same since she was admitted on Wednesday night.

"There is no mention of her being brain dead," he told Malaysiakini in response to news reports which claimed the girl, who is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), was declared brain dead.

Teoh, who visited the girl in hospital yesterday, urged the media and public not to "over publicise" this incident.

He said the family, especially the girl's father, is inconsolable.

"We tried consoling the father, who was crying, when we met him yesterday.

"I believe everyone is sincerely concerned but the most crucial issue now is to ensure the recovery of the victim.

"I ask all Malaysians to pray for her regardless of our race or religion," he added.

'Can her life be replaced?'

The student, who hails from Nibong Tebal, Penang, attempted suicide by hanging herself with a shawl after the teacher accused her of stealing her phone in front of the girl's parents.

Prior to that, it was alleged that the teacher had accused the girl of the theft in school and locked her up in a room, demanding a confession.

In a handwritten note, the girl denied stealing the phone.

“Nobody is responsible for my death. I want to thank my lovely parents for taking care of me. I am so sorry.

“Teacher, I never took your phone. I promise,” she said.

Her suicide attempt was foiled by her father, a cook, who broke open the room door after suspecting something was amiss.

The distraught father had told The Star that the teacher and her husband, who is also a teacher, had claimed the theft was captured on CCTV but could not confirm whether the girl in the footage was his daughter.

“She said she did not steal the phone when I asked her,” he said.

“Can my daughter's life be replaced?” he asked, saying that the mobile phone can be replaced. “She is on life support now”.

The girl's uncle Manogaran Retom has since lodged a police report last Friday.

Penang police chief A Thaiveegan is not available for comment, whereas Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan (photo) said the matter is being investigated.

He also said the teacher involved has been transferred.

David Mashel, president of Malaysian Tamilar Kural, said that the NGO will be calling for a national level prayer session for the girl’s recovery. 

"On the legal side, let the police investigate, but we are also appointing a lawyer on the family’s behalf to monitor the case.

"We will ensure justice is served in this case," David said. Mkini