Axe bought online, 38 witnesses questioned: Police await psychiatric report in Kuching school attack

Acting Sarawak police commissioner DCP Saifullizan Ishak says prosecutors will consider the teenager’s forensic psychiatric assessment before deciding whether to bring charges. — The Borneo Post pic

First Published: Wednesday, 28 Oct 2026 11:13 AM MYT

KUCHING, Oct 28 — Police are awaiting a forensic psychiatric report on the 16-year-old student involved in an axe attack on a teacher at a private school here before drawing any conclusions about his mental state during the October 21 incident.

Acting Sarawak police commissioner DCP Shaifullizan Ishak said the assessment is necessary to establish whether the student was aware of his actions or was acting in a state beyond his control at the time.

“We are still waiting for the forensic psychiatric report. I cannot draw any conclusions until we receive the report,” he told a press conference here.

He said the student remained hospitalised and was receiving treatment, while the forensic psychiatric assessment is still in progress.

Saifullizan said police had completed their investigations and submitted the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor on October 26 for further consideration.

He stressed that the decision on whether to charge the student rested with the prosecution, which would take the forensic psychiatric findings into account.

“The psychiatric specialists will prepare a report on whether the act was committed while he was conscious of his actions or in a state beyond his control.

“The prosecution will determine whether charges should be brought. Our responsibility as the police is to investigate,” he said.

On when the forensic psychiatric report would be ready, Saifullizan said no definite timeframe could be given, as the assessment was still in progress.

“We can only wait. It may take a month, or it may depend on the circumstances.

“But I hope the relevant parties will give this case their attention because it has attracted considerable public interest,” he said.

On whether bullying could have been a factor in the incident, he said police had so far found no evidence linking the attack to bullying.

He also declined to speculate on claims that the student had been influenced by online games, stressing that police could only comment on findings supported by evidence.

He revealed that the police had recorded statements from 38 witnesses, including students, teachers, security guards, medical specialists, and the student’s parents.

Among the items seized were an axe, a knife, firecrackers, a computer, and other electronic devices, which had been sent for forensic examination.

Police are still awaiting the forensic analysis of the electronic devices, while investigations had established that the student purchased the axe online.

Regarding the firecrackers seized, Saifullizan said examinations indicated that they remained classified as firecrackers rather than more powerful explosives.

He also said that the 42-year-old victim of the attack suffered a minor wound on her left hand, which did not involve muscle or bone, and has since been discharged from hospital.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code and Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.

Saifullizan also urged the public against speculating on the case or sharing unverified information, particularly as it involved a minor whose rights must be protected under the law. — The Borneo Post