Schools must review, replace old wiring systems after Daro electrocution tragedy

File photo for illustration purposes only. Photo: Kohji Asakawa/Pixabay

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, May 8: Schools must urgently review and replace old electrical wiring systems, particularly in rural areas, following the recent tragedy involving a student in Daro, Mukah.

Sarawak Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the incident was a painful reminder that safety in schools goes beyond procedures on paper, stressing that infrastructure condition especially wiring must be treated as a critical priority.

“This is very sad. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family. It is very difficult for parents to lose a child, especially one so young,” she said during a press conference held at Tun Datuk Patinggi Tuanku Haji Bujang Building in Simpang Tiga today.

Fatimah said while investigations into the incident are ongoing, it highlights the need for continuous inspection and timely upgrading of electrical systems in schools to prevent avoidable risks.

She warned that old or poorly maintained wiring can lead to serious hazards such as short circuits, adding that such risks must not be taken lightly.

“It is a tragedy to lose a student, to lose a child, and it reminds us once again how important safety is, especially in terms of wiring.

“Wiring in longhouses, in our own homes, and in schools — if it is old, it must be replaced because there is a fear of short circuits and so on. This is part of safety measures,” she stressed.

Fatimah also reminded school operators that standard safety procedures already exist but must be strictly enforced at all times, saying complacency can have tragic consequences.

On May 6, a 16-year-old male student reportedly died after he was believed to have been electrocuted while taking ablution water at a secondary school in Daro.

According to TVS, Matu Dato District Police chief DSP Rahim Mihos said police received a report of the incident from the school at about 8pm, and that the incident involved three male secondary school students.

One of the victims, a 16-year-old Form Four student, was confirmed dead at the scene. Another victim, a 15-year-old Form Three student was rushed to Daro Hospital for treatment before being referred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sibu Hospital. The third victim, a 15-year-old student, was unharmed.

At the same time, Sarawak Education Department in a statement, said it has initiated an internal investigation to examine compliance with safety aspects at the school, with the affected area at the school has been cordoned off as a safety precaution. — DayakDaily