While the father of the schoolgirl who died after being accused of stealing her teacher’s handphone denies claims that his daughter had harmed herself two years ago, the Deputy Education Minister denies saying the girl had cut her wrist.
The father of M Vasanthapiriya wants people to cease speculating about his daughter’s mental health and spreading inaccurate stories.
He also appeals to the public to stop tarnishing the character of his daughter and smearing her name.
Muniandy Ratnam, 54, also said he was disappointed that Deputy Education Minister Datuk P Kamalanathan reportedly said that Vasanthapiriya cut her wrist in 2016 and that the family did not proceed with the counsellor’s suggestion to get her further medical help.
“I wish to know where he got his information as my daughter never attempted suicide in the past.
“He (Kamalanathan) is not in a position to discuss my child’s mental health. She is my daughter and I know her better than anyone else. I raised her myself, so don’t break our hearts.
“I know my daughter’s behaviour well. She never tried to commit suicide prior to the incident, and she was a happy girl who had lots of friends.
“This is not true at all. If you check, there are no hospital records of such an incident and no police reports. You can also check the clinics.
“She had no wounds on her body, so this is not true at all,” he said at a press conference at his house in Kampung Tonghai, Nibong Tebal, on Monday.
He also said that the public should not pass judgment on his daughter, adding that the police have yet to come to a conclusion regarding this case.
Muniandy maintained that Vasanthapiriya never had disciplinary issues in school and was very friendly to everyone, regardless of race or religion.
“Even when people did not talk to her, she would still smile at them. She was very warm to all. She loved talking and exchanging views. She was very loving and bubbly.”
The father revealed that his daughter ‘s ambition was to become a doctor because she wanted to save lives and make the world a better place.
“Her hobbies were drawing and singing but her ambition was to be a doctor,” he said, adding he denied ever telling anyone that Vasanthapiriya had tried to commit suicide in the past.
R Muniandy with his wife and children showing pictures of M Vasanthapiriya.
He said he never expected her dream to come to an abrupt end when she attempted suicide last month and died a week later.
The Form Two student passed away on Feb 1 after being in a coma for seven days at the Seberang Jaya Hospital.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng took Kamalanathan to task for revealing Vasanthapiriya had a record of self-harm, which her family has denied.
Guan Eng said the deputy minister should go for counselling on how to handle cases like these since he did not realise it was wrong to announce such sensitive information to the public. He was speaking in a press conference yesterday before handing over RM2,000 to Vasanthapiriya’s father.
“How can he talk like this? It is worse when what he said was not true. Even if it is true, he should not talk like this, it is cruel and malicious,” he said.
He said the authorities must empathise and sympathise with the family who has lost a loved one instead of looking for faults and blaming the deceased student.
“She was only 14 years old and what Kamalanathan said was irresponsible, cruel and the family is hurt by this,” he said.
Guan Eng added the family is going through a difficult time dealing with their loss so they should be given support.
Following the criticism about his reported ‘self-harm’ remark, Kamalanathan today that he said Vasanthapiriya had cut her wrist, The Star reported.
“A reporter said she heard that a counsellor’s report on the schoolgirl’s mental health has been submitted.
“When she told me this, I merely responded saying I heard the same, and that I have requested the Penang Education Department to submit all investigation papers to the police to allow them to finish their investigation.
“Never at any point did I say she had cut her wrist,” he was quoted saying yesterday.
Related reports:
Feb 9, Inquest into Death of Student Accused of Stealing Teacher’s iPhone
Feb 6, Emotions Still Raw Nearly a Week After Vasanthapiriya’s Death
Feb 2, Girl Accused of Phone Theft Laid to Rest
Feb 1, Accused of Stealing Teacher’s Handphone, Girl Who Attempted Suicide Dies
Jan 27, Form Two Girl in Suicide Bid After Teacher Accuses Her of Stealing Handphone