We speak out as a community of persons with disabilities, family members, and allies of persons with disabilities, because harmful narratives about disability, autism, and mental illness are increasingly shaping the public response to a devastating tragedy: the fatal stabbing of a student by a younger schoolmate at a school.
Of the many incidents involving children in recent months, this tragedy has cut deeply because of how the public discourse has unfolded before the facts were even known.
It is not only the impact of violence itself but also how quickly public discourse has conflated disability with danger, violence, and threats. Comments such as “An OKU card will now appear as his biggest defence” or “This is what happens when mentally ill children are in school” are spreading like wildfire online, fuelling stigma and misinforming public opinion. These narratives do real damage to communities, policies, and lives.
Safety is a daily challenge shaped by our lived realities of being disabled and raising children with disabilities. Our children endure violence, discrimination, and exclusion, affecting not only them but also their families and the broader OKU community. We worry for the safety and well-being of our children with disabilities in school, even as we pack their bags each night.
These worries are amplified for those with psychosocial disabilities or mental health conditions. Their families face unique challenges, as misunderstanding, misinformation, and harmful assumptions frequently result in their children being further marginalised rather than accessing the right support.
We grieve deeply for all involved. Our hearts are with the family mourning an unimaginable loss, with the students and teachers whose lives are now forever altered, and with the child accused and his family, whose lives will be irrevocably changed.
This tragedy has shaken us all, demanding that we respond not only with justice but also with humanity. It is irresponsible to spread hearsay or publish alleged psychological information about the young person’s diagnosis.
It is not our place to judge, to disclose, or to disseminate these speculations. Doing so violates a child’s dignity, privacy, and rights under the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), Section 15(2) of the Child Rights Act and Section 233 (2) of Communications and Multimedia Act, protection of minors in Malaysia.
These actions harm families raising children with disabilities, particularly hidden or psychosocial disabilities, who already face intense scrutiny from society.
We are alarmed by reports that some media outlets have revealed or hinted at the identities of both children in this case and previous ones. This is not only unethical but dangerous, exposing minors and their families to harassment, stigma, and public judgement. We call on all media to respect child protection, privacy, and journalistic responsibility.
An OKU card or a mental illness diagnosis does not shield one from accountability. It is a mechanism for support and rights protection. Weaponising it in public discourse misleads and stops them from seeking support.
Research shows that people with psychosocial disabilities or mental health conditions are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators, and there is no causal link between autism and violence.
Global studies also reinforce that violence often stems from social conditions, trauma, unmet needs, and environmental stress, not diagnoses.
None of us is excusing harm. The law and justice must run their course. But the language we use matters. To perpetually link violent acts as a symptom of disability and a mental illness diagnosis, we become directly responsible for reinforcing fear, upholding myths, silencing families’ struggles, and isolating children. Thus, creating a society that sees exclusion as the only way to keep schools safe. We must do better.
Adolescence, with or without disability, is a complex and fragile period shaped by identity, pressure, emotion, and unspoken pain. Responding with anger or sensationalism ignores this complexity.
Parents of children with disabilities share the same hopes and fears for their children as any other. Yet, harmful narratives influence policy and attitudes, determining whether their child will be supported or excluded at school.
These narratives have now reached every parent who is often blamed for their child’s condition. It also reaches those who choose not to disclose it, and we then question why they make that choice. It touches every child labelled “Hi, I’m dangerous” because of autism, ADHD, mental illness, or trauma, and every teacher who feels unequipped to support them.
That simple intention of “sharing” information or expressing one’s opinion does have far-reaching consequences for vulnerable communities.
Policing and exclusion do not build safety. We must build systems that support, not punish. And integrate psychological first aid and psychosocial services into schools, train staff to respond with compassion, and create environments where difference is part of humanity, not a threat. We must make schools places of safety and inclusion, with psychological support embedded in education.
We are calling for good ethics and accountability from media practitioners, policymakers, educators, and the wider public. We must reject harmful speculation and stereotypes of mental illness or disability. We continually remind all of us to pause, to reflect, before posting or sharing these narratives.
Before assuming mental illness would explain violence, ask: are we sensationalising? Are we contributing to understanding or reinforcing harmful stereotypes? Are we harming an already stigmatised community? Are my words helping us heal or fueling fear?
True safety is not achieved by removing differences, but by supporting and protecting every child, including those with psychosocial disabilities or experiencing mental illness.
This tragedy must remind us to show up better for those who are still in school and deserve safe, supportive environments. And keeping a child out of school because of a condition they have is not the answer here.
Endorsed by 276 individuals and organisations from the OKU community and allies:
Ng Lai Thin, Disability-inclusion advocate, Inclusive education specialist, author, care partner of family members with cognitive disabilities.
Beatrice Leong, Gender-Disability Activist, Independent Documentary Filmmaker, Autistic Woman.
Yuenwah San, disability rights and intersectionality advocate, care partner of a person with disabilities, older person with hidden disabilities.
Prof Dr Toh Teck Hock, Vice President, National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC)
Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Consultant Paediatrician, Child and Disability Activist.
The OKU Rights Matter Project
SIUMAN Collective
CRIB Foundation (Child Rights Innovation & Betterment)
HAYAT
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
Klinik Kenit
Gabungan Anak-Anak Palsi Serebrum (GAPS)
North South Initiative
SIS Forum (Malaysia)
Aliran
Special Needs Parents Network (SPENT) Miri
Mental Health Association of Sarawak (Miri Branch)
Mental Health Association of Sarawak
i-Life Suicide Prevention Association of Penang (i-Life)
Malaysian Autism Resource Foundation (MARF)
The HeartBased Group (THBG)
Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (DAWN)
Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies National Organisation (MyBIM)
D’Home Mental Health Association of Penang
Society for Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM)
Rafeah Natasha, Gender-Disability Advocate, Neurodivergent Woman
Ineza Roussille, Filmmaker
Sarah Ann Chou, Clinical Psychologist
Mediha Mahmood, CEO, Content Forum
Khoo E-May, Autistic Woman, HRDC Accredited Trainer, Licensed SPELL User.
Khoo Hooi Lay, music teacher, urban gardening-for-health advocate, ally of OKU and families.
Ch’ng B’ao Zhong, Autistic Person, licensed and Registered Counsellor
Ooi Ivan
Frances Lim, Clinical Psychologist
Joseph Ngu, Postgraduate Student in Psychology
Dr Wong Woan Yiing, Consultant Paediatrician
Dr Balkis Nachiah, Medical Officer KK Pandamaran, Mother to 2 autistic children
Tan Jun Hang, Nurse, Neurodivergent with Psychosocial Disability, DET Trainer
Siti Sarah binti Jasni
Gan Junqi, Entrepreneur, mother of autistic child
Ng Xinmeen, ADHD adult
Margaret Lee, mother
Bernard Lau Sie Ming free, father of autistic child
Shirley Lim
Hasbeemasputra Abu Bakar, Neurodivergent, Human Rights Defender with Multiple Disabilities
Alvin Ng Lai Oon (PhD), Clinical Psychologist
Karen Shirley Giom, Mother of autistic child with OKU card
Ariel Huang, Graduate Tutor and postgraduate student in psychology
Dr Izam Suziani Ismail, Autism Advocate, mother of an autistic child, author.
Ainin Sofeah, Health Policy Researcher and Mental Health Advocate
Miza Marsya Roslan, Rare Disease Advocate, individual living with rare disease.
Ivan Lee, Clinical Psychologist
Jananie Chandrarao, Postgraduate Student, Clinical Psychology
Puteri Karima, Autism Advocate, Mother of an autistic child
Jacqueline Foo, Clinical Psychologist
Hannah Abdul Aziz, Mental Health and Accessibility Advocate
Mohd Khairulikhwan, Father to young autistic child
Sherrene Teh, Registered Music Therapist
Aleeya Shaheera, Mother of an autistic child
Nur Dini, Mother of an autistic child and child with ADHD
Sya A., Autistic and Disability Rights Advocate, Postgraduate Student in Autism Studies, autistic adult with psychosocial disabilities
Samantha, mother of Autistic and ASD child
Aimi Maizura, mother of an autistic child
Cheah You Chee, parent of child with autism and OKU card holder
Shawn Sharif, person living with multiple disabilities & patient advocate
Lim Xiu Yi, Single Mother of an autistic teenager
Nicholas Chin
Siti Marlina, mother of an ASD child
Andi Miranti
Dhia Rezki Rohaizad, Programme Manager, JEJAKA
Yeap Yen Ying, a social worker against any form of violence
Azrin Husaini Hashim, father of a child with autism
Yap Sook Yee, advocate for children with disability and mum of a child with Spinal muscular atrophy.
Leong Siew Yoong, Medical Doctor, Wife to an Autistic Person
Bawanie Rajendran, Clinical Psychologist
Magdalene Chow
Norman Goh, Journalist
Emelyn Lee
Ali Azmi, socio-economics researcher, OKU ally
Leela Panikkar
Hana Yusli
Rafidah Rafizah Ahmad, mother of a child with cerebral palsy & advocate for children with disability
Adrian Anthony Pereira
Abraham Isaac Pereira, autistic
Dr Wong Tze Peng, Speech-Language Therapist, Associate Professor in Special and Inclusive Education
Wong Keng Bing, Interventionist
Melissa Tan, Interventionist
Norliyana, Family member of an autistic individual
Dorothy George Dass, mother to a working child with Autism
Puteri Kaarriena, Autism Advocate, Aunty of an autistic child
Ho Lee Ching, Disabled theatre practitioner and advocate
Nur Aina Fatihah Mohd Amin, person living with multiple disabilities, gender-disability advocate
Cassandra Guan Li Min, autistic and schizoaffective adult
Kamariah Rahmah, Lawyer and Human Rights advocate
Yvonne Ding, Parent to Autistic Young Adult
Dr. Ng Yin Ping, Psychiatrist
Dolly G Dass
Siti Nurul ‘Ain Saari, Occupational Therapist
Nurdayana Aidi, AIM HIGH member
Dr. Chan Lai Fong, Professor of Psychiatry & Suicide Prevention, General Secretary of the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP)
Leela Koran (PhD), Linguist with an interest in dementia care and mental health issues.
Kuria Dip Silas
Lee Hwee Ming
Lily Ma
Lina Teoh, Independent Documentary Filmmaker, parent advocate
Aimee Chan, Principal, Persatuan Kebajikan Sri Eden Selangor dan KL
Jerry Tong Kai Wei, Autistic, Creator, Artist, Writer and Aspiring Activist
Alia Ali @ KakNgah, Founder AWareness Against Suicide (AWAS)
Derrick Tan Jia Xin, Autistic, Barista
Tay Chia Yi, speech-language therapist
Lee Huey Juen, homemaker, mother of child with hearing loss
Nadiah Hanim Abdul Latif, President, Malaysian Rare Disorders Society
Dr Diana Wee, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.
Shing Yee Ling, Clinical Psychologist
Jacqueline, Homemaker, mother of handicap child
Izyan Nadiah Md Noh, special needs advocate and a mother to a child with chromosome translocation 17 & 2, and complex medical needs.
Teong Chia Ying, Occupational Therapist
Anil Netto, writer and activist
Dora Ong Suan Lin, Mother to an Autistic Child
Anisya Anis, Autistic
Pheh Kai Shuen, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Malicca Ratne, President, Soroptimist International Pearl of the Orient, OKU ally
Lim Wee Seong, Malaysia Stateless Alliance
Chan Shiu Sum, Child Psychologist
Natalie Cheong, Interventionist
Genevieve Chung
Dr. Tan Hui Siu, General Paediatrician, mother to three teenagers.
Dr. Nik Ruzyanei, Consultant Psychiatrist.
Tamyra Selvarajan, Advocacy Officer WAO and person with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Chong Shu Fen, Registered and Licensed Counselor
Hyma Sasikumar, Certified Therapeutic Play Practitioner
Penny Ong, Interventionist
Ashwin Thind, Clinical Psychologist
Dr Cheah Boon Eu, Neurodivergent, Medical Officer
Dr. Dian Syafiqah Zulkarnain, primary care doctor and certified in suicide first aid
Aaron LK Wong, parent to 3 children with ASD
Adrian Hii, 36-year-old working man, working in Menara Maybank for more than a year
Jasmine Kan Lai Yeang
Dr. Lee Khiam Jin, an academic, and inclusive society advocate
Dr Wong Yin Hoong, General Pediatrician
Dr Chen Wei, OKU ally
Choong Wan Chin, Choreographer and Founder of KL Dance Works, OKU ally
Jo Kukathas, Actor, Writer, Director, The Instant Café Theatre Company
Sam Loh
Tay Jia May, Clinical Psychologist
Tay Shu Shen, Speech Therapist
Nash Malik
Yunice Ong Ee Lan, Clinical Psychologist
Liu Moy Yub, Clinical Psychologist
Prudence Lingham, Speech therapist, Disability and inclusivity advocate
Justin Wong, Stratum Technologies
Tan Hor Yinn, Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Anrie Too, Lecturer, Performer, Mother of 2.
Dr. Kelvin Lee Yuen San, Consultant Psychiatrist.
Beverly Joeman, human rights activist, hearing aid assisted
Dr Chow Lai Yin, paediatrician, advocate for inclusivity and neurodiversity
Dr Sheila GK, Consultant Pediatrician & Senior Lecturer, MAHSA University.
Maryam Ismail, researcher, ASD and ADHD.
Intan Nahariah Yaacob, Parent and neurodiversity advocate
Lee Voon Yee, Clinical Psychologist
Teo Ting Ting, Teacher
Ivan Ho, Befrienders Penang.
Ridwan Yusoff, PT Foundation
Naziaty binti Mohd Yaacob (PhD, architecture), Accessibility Consultant with multiple disabilities
Wong Yee Qing
Chai Jing Yun
Kayla Baxter
Low Qin Yi, Clinical Psychologist
Denzell Tan Beng Wah, DEAF person, grab driver
Dr N.Thiyagar, Paediatrician, Adolescent Medicine Specialist
Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin, Malaysian Paediatric Association
Fatimah Amir, Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Dr. Lee Jia Ni
Dr Nurul Azwa, Medical Officer, mother with 2 OKU kids
Prakash Ravindran, Clinical Psychologist
Leong Sin Yee, Hon Secretary Children’s Protection Society Malaysia
Lee Yu Ying, Founder Shining Star Learning Hub
Dr Sheila GK
Hong Yean Keow, pwd
Dr Siti Hazrah Selamat Din, Psychiatrist, Mental Health advocate
Loh E. Laine, Licensed & Registered Counsellor
Ng Kai Yean, Licensed and Registered Counsellor
Alicia Ng, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Josila Hasbullah, mother of Neurodivergent child
Aishah Taraji
Adeline J. Samuil, Occupational Therapist
Ivy Josiah, Past President, Women’s Aid Organisation
Arielle Estefania Chin
Dexter Tan Chi Eng, Licensed & Registered Counsellor
Low Lai Kwan, Clinical Psychologist
Vanessa Ng, Psychology Graduate and Teacher
Fabian Dicom, Catholic Priest & Director of Caritas Malaysia
Dr Sim Joo Seng, Consultant Paediatrician & Paediatric Cardiologist, Advisor to Penang Down Syndrome Association
Keith Lee Bryan
Marina Tan, ADHDer, performing arts practitioner
Khor Ai Na, CEO, Asia Community Service, Penang
Shirene Shanmughalingam
Kamal Bayramov
Dr Sheila GK, Consultant Pediatrician & Senior Lecturer, MAHSA University
Hwa Yang Jerng, individual citizen of Malaysia
Christina Wong, Licensed and Registered Counsellor
Sor Lee Ting, Licensed and Registered Counsellor
Silviana Bonadei, 2 Way Centre coordinator
Tan Zong Yan, Clinical Psychologist
Dato’ Dr. Sharom Ahmat, Vice President, – Association of Children with Special Needs
Marcus Lim YunHao, Performing Arts Practitioner, Co-Coordinator, Ombak Potehi, OKU ally
Dr. Lynne Yong, registered clinical psychologist.
Tay Mi Shyuan, special educator
Ang Wei Ying
Amiza Azwani Binti Abdul Aziz, Clinical psychologist
Magtum Aen, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Phylycia Lowe, Co-Founder of Q2Q
Lim Tien Hong (PhD), Blind advocate for Disability Inclusion
Lee Han
Anthony Chong (PhD), Deaf advocate
Joanna Hew, mother to daughter with Down Syndrome
Katherine Khoo, President, Persatuan Pendidikan Sosioemosi Malaysia
Mohd Shafiq Bin Badarulhisham, Autistic
Yvonne Lee, Registered Counsellor
Dr Saw Shi Hui, Paediatrician
Dr Ling How Kee, Disability rights advocate and social work educator
Ramesh Vadiveloo, HIV / AIDS Advocate
Moses Choo, Blind advocate for OKU rights
Kang Jia Yi, Clinical Psychologist
Dr Azizah Othman, Associate Professor in Psychology & Clinical Psychologist, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Jason Lim Jie Sheng, Advocate & Solicitor
Shingni Ooi, trainee clinical psychologist, Taylor’s university.
Melanie Oh, mother to a person with Down Syndrome, advocate
Ian Ho Chung Han, Clinical Psychologist, The Passion Hub.
Bernard Hyacinth, Catholic Priest and Compassionate Humanist
Keith Song Khai Leng, Performing Arts Practitioner, Co-Coordinator, Ombak Potehi, OKU ally
Dr Cheah Yee Ping, Consultant Paediatrician
Ang I Yi
Wong Ee Lynn, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Tan Zhi Ching
Husna Nabeela Binti Hussain, Designer
Goo Wan Tian, Quality Analyst
Adlin Murphy, Clinical Psychologist
Darshavishaakan, Clinical Psychologist
Syuhanaz Saharudin, AuDHD adult, care partner of a neurodivergent step son.
Lee Loong Yaw, ADHD and autistic adult
Izly Ishak, father to an Autistic son
Mohammad Izwan Othman, Technical Officer, AuDHD Adult
Calvin Cheong, parent of Down Syndrome child
Hanaa Wong Abdullah, Positive Psychology Practitioner
Mariam Zahiah Tazali, Mother to a daughter with Down Syndrome and an advocate for inclusion and special needs awareness.
Jasniza Johari, educator and support worker
Melody Chee (DPsych), Registered Clinical Psychologist
Khairunnoah Idris bin Khairudin, ADHD Adult
Dr Tan May Loong, Paediatrician
Kong Chan Cheat
Kuat Lee Meng, parent to a child with ASD
Catherine Wang, Caritas Malaysia
Yeoh Huey Ting, Licensed and Registered Counsellor
Hannah Tang, Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Carmen Ooi, Senses At Work
Shaleen Chrisanne, Clinical Psychologist
Ivy Peik, Parent of kids with visually impaired
Eileen Soon, Founder of LemmeLearn Empowerment Center
Marites Collantes, parent of a child with Down Syndrome
Terence Tan, parent to a child with Down syndrome
Izzat Zaidi, co-founder, The QARE Initiative
Toh Yuhang, co-founder, The QARE Initiative
Alvin Teoh, Parent Advocate, The National Family Support Group for Children and People with Special Needs.
Gan Chun Hong, Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Li-Hsian Choo, inclusive education advocate and parent advocate to a child with Down syndrome
Samuel Chew, Interpreter, UNOG
Yap Kai Xin Ketty, Trainee Clinical Psychologist
Goh Lay Phing, Registered Clinical Psychologist
Julian Tan Yen Ju, parent to a child with Down syndrome
Jimmy Tan Jin Ming, Medical Consultant in Photomobulation
Moong Lee Peng, parent to a child with Krabbe
Haniza Binti Mohd Salleh, mother to 2 autistic kids
Nur Annie Maria, mother to a daughter with Down Syndrome
Elijah Ling Zhao Zhong, UTM student with autism.
Dr Chua Ker Yung, Pediatrician and Developmental Pediatrics Trainee.
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