PTA to hold ‘healing’ talks over suicide tragedy
Last updated on 7 February 2018 - 11:00pm
GEORGE TOWN: The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of SMK Methodist in Nibong Tebal plans to meet the parties affected by the death of 13-year-old M. Vasanthapiriya.
It was learnt that the PTA will invite representatives of the girl's parents, police and the teacher who accused the girl of stealing a smartphone, to meet and and talk as part of the healing process.
Vasanthapiriya, who denied stealing the phone, had tried to commit suicide.
She died after being in coma at the Seberang Jaya Hospital intensive care unit.
PTA chairman Teoh Seang Hooi confirmed that the association was working on a way of relieving the tension which had resulted from the tragedy, saying that the teacher had partially followed the standard operating procedure for such cases but admitted that the situation went out of hand.
The father of the deceased has plans to lodge a police report.
Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy said justice must be served first before undertaking the process of healing.
He said that the PTA may mean well but the authorities must expedite the outcome of the case so that justice can be seen as served, rather than denied in this case.