Latest news with #UniversityOfCyberjaya
CNA
28-06-2025
- CNA
Two students suspended, security increased after Malaysian woman found dead at university housing
CYBERJAYA, Selangor: Following the murder of a 20-year-old Malaysian student, the University of Cyberjaya has suspended two students linked to the case, and stepped up security at off-campus shared accommodation facilities. The university said in a statement on Saturday (Jun 28) that it had taken "prompt disciplinary action by suspending two students who may be connected to the recent incident involving the late Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara", adding that the suspensions will remain in effect pending further investigation. Maniishapriet, a physiotherapy student from the University of Cyberjaya, was found dead in her condominium unit in the Sepang district of Selangor on Tuesday at about 10am, with injuries on her body, reported local media. Three suspects - a man and two women, aged between 19 and 20 - have been arrested and are currently on remand. The victim had been staying at Mutiara Ville, a shared unit provided by the university located about 1.5km away from the main building, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT). She lived with five other students but they had returned home for the holidays on Jun 21, leaving her alone at the condominium used as a hostel as she was scheduled to sit for an upcoming examination, according to The Star. She was found unconscious by a friend at around 10am on Tuesday and pronounced dead shortly after police officers arrived at the scene. The University of Cyberjaya has come under intense scrutiny following the tragedy, which has raised concerns about student safety at private institutions of higher learning. In response, the university says it has implemented security enhancements at off-campus shared accommodation facilities since Thursday evening. These measures include deploying additional university-assigned security personnel to supplement existing guards appointed by the respective accommodation management companies. Patrols have also been stepped up. "The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our utmost priority. We are deeply saddened by the recent events and are taking firm, immediate steps to ensure our community feels protected and supported," said Dr David Whitford, vice chancellor of the university.
Malay Mail
28-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Cyberjaya University suspends two students amid ongoing murder investigation, tightens security
CYBERJAYA, June 28 — The University of Cyberjaya has suspended two students believed to be linked to the murder investigation of 20-year-old student Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara. In a statement today, the university said the suspensions took effect early Friday and reflected its zero-tolerance policy toward safety breaches. This follows the arrest of three suspects — two women and a man, aged 19 and 20 — who are currently under a seven-day remand to assist police investigations. They were apprehended in Johor Baru and Gemencheh, Negeri Sembilan, and are being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. Maniishapriet, a Bachelor of Physiotherapy student from Kuching, was found unconscious in her off-campus accommodation on Tuesday morning. She was pronounced dead shortly after police arrived at the scene. Sepang police said there were no signs of forced entry or sexual assault but reported that the victim had suffered head injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. Several belongings, including her laptop, phone, ATM card, and cash, were also missing. In response to the incident, the university has implemented tighter security measures at off-campus accommodations, including deploying additional security personnel and increasing patrols. 'The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our utmost priority. 'We are deeply saddened by the recent events and are taking firm, immediate steps to ensure our community feels protected and supported,' said Vice Chancellor Professor Dr David Whitford. The university urged the public to avoid speculation or spreading unverified information, pledging full cooperation with authorities and the release of verified updates as investigations progress. Police investigations are ongoing.
CNA
27-06-2025
- CNA
Murder of 20-year-old Malaysian student in university housing sparks calls for justice, better safety measures
CYBERJAYA, Selangor: The murder of a 20-year-old university student in Cyberjaya, Selangor this week has sent shockwaves across Malaysia, sparking widespread calls for justice and better safety from students, politicians and members of the public. Three suspects, a man and two women aged 19 and 20, were arrested between 9am on Thursday (Jun 26) and 2am on Friday in connection with the death of Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara, a physiotherapy student from the University of Cyberjaya. Police obtained a seven-day remand order against the three suspects until Jul 3 at the Sepang Sessions Court on Friday morning. Maniishapriet, who hailed from Kuching, Sarawak, was found dead in her condominium unit in the Sepang district of Selangor on Tuesday at about 10am, with injuries on her body, reported local media. The victim had been staying at Mutiara Ville, a shared unit provided by the university located about 1.5km away from the main building, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT). She was living with five other students but they had returned home for the holidays on Jun 21, leaving her alone at the condominium used as a hostel as she was scheduled to sit for an upcoming examination, according to The Star. Sepang police chief Norhizam Bahaman confirmed on Thursday that her death was due to blunt force trauma to the head, with the case being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. 'We hope the public will not speculate on the case or share unverified news that could jeopardise the investigation … We will take stern action on any unlawful act,' Norhizam said on Friday, as quoted by The Star. The University of Cyberjaya has come under intense scrutiny, as the tragedy raised concerns about the safety of students at private institutions of higher learning, with many using the hashtag '#justiceformaniisha'. The incident has also garnered reactions from politicians, some of whom urged action on better student security. In a Facebook post on Friday, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the murder and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. "The loss of a young woman who was on the path of academic pursuit and a bright future is a truly heartbreaking tragedy," she said. Deputy housing and local government minister Aiman Athirah Sabu, in a Facebook post, called the murder 'shocking'. 'I urge that the investigation be carried out transparently, fairly and urgently to ensure justice is upheld and the truth is revealed,' she said on Thursday. Malaysian Indian Congress women's leader N Saraswati said students deserve to feel safe where they live and study. 'Immediate and firm action must be taken. Let us honour her memory by demanding and pushing for better protection measures for our students,' she said on Thursday, as quoted by Free Malaysia Today. Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri, who attended Maniishapriet's funeral, also extended her condolences. 'I trust the relevant authorities will conduct the investigation and with integrity so that justice may prevail,' she said in a post on X on Thursday. A Member of Parliament from the Democratic Action Party has urged the Higher Education Ministry to review and strengthen existing safety protocols to enhance security measures at student accommodations nationwide, noting that the incident has raised serious concerns about student safety, especially for those living far from home. 'The incident must serve as a wake-up call to both educational institutions and authorities responsible for student welfare,' Bandar Kuching's MP Kelvin Yii said in a statement on Thursday, as quoted by the New Straits Times (NST). 'SECURITY HERE IS POOR', SAY FELLOW STUDENTS RESIDING AT THE CONDOMINIUM Several students have also raised concerns about the poor security at the condominium where the 20-year-old victim resided, noting that they had neither seen any police nor received any official communication from the building management or their university. 'I only knew about (the incident) because it went viral on X. I didn't see the police, just a group of security guards. We weren't told anything by the management. They don't really care about security,' a 21-year-old local student residing at Mutiara Ville told the New Straits Times on Thursday. 'It's not safe to walk alone here, especially for a woman. People can just come and go,' another student told NST. While some blocks are gated, students told NST that the security measures were largely superficial, with features either broken or poorly enforced. 'Security here is poor. They don't properly check who comes and goes,' a 20-year-old nursing student said. Norhizam, the district police chief, earlier said on Thursday that there were 'no signs of forced entry into the victim's residence'. He added that the police had not found any evidence indicating that the victim was sexually assaulted, contrary to some claims circulating on social media, The Star reported. THREE SUSPECTS ARRESTED Speaking to the media on Friday, Norhizam said that the arrests of the three suspects were made 'within 48 hours' after a police report was lodged on the victim's death. All three suspects were known to the victim, according to local media. Police earlier said that a male suspect had used the victim's debit card to withdraw money in five to six ATM transactions not long after the murder. A laptop, handphone and cash belonging to Maniishapriet were also said to be missing, according to local media. In a statement, University of Cyberjaya has pledged to tighten safety protocols on campus and in its residential facilities. 'The safety of our students, their families and the surrounding community remains our utmost priority, the statement read, as quoted by NST.
South China Morning Post
27-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Cyberjaya student murder: Malaysia police arrest 3 over university dorm killing
Malaysian police have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a 20-year-old university student in Cyberjaya, the country's flagship tech hub. The killing has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of campus security. Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara was found dead in her dormitory on Tuesday, with authorities later revealing that the accommodation complex lacked basic security measures such as closed-circuit television cameras. In a statement on Friday, Sepang district police said they had arrested a man and two women, aged between 19 and 20, believed to be involved in the killing. They were caught in the neighbouring state of Negeri Sembilan and the southern state of Johor. 'The arrests were made within 48 hours of the report being received,' district police chief Norhizam Bahaman said. All suspects are being investigated for murder, which carries the death penalty upon conviction. Police earlier said the victim's laptop, mobile phone, ATM card and cash were missing, The male suspect had allegedly used her card to withdraw money five or six times shortly after her death. Details from a Justice for Maniisha poster. Instagram/@asiasamachar Maniishapriet, a psychotherapy undergraduate at the University of Cyberjaya, had been alone in the dormitory since June 21, when her five roommates left for the holidays.
Malay Mail
26-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Cyberjaya university promises safety review after student's death sparks public outcry
SEPANG, June 26 — The University of Cyberjaya today said it will strengthen its safety procedures following the death of a 20-year-old student at one of its shared residential facilities in Cyberjaya. In a press statement, the university said it is working closely with security experts to review and enhance its existing safety protocols. 'The safety of our students, their families, and the surrounding community remains our utmost priority,' it said. The university also said that it is cooperating with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), which is currently investigating the incident. Police earlier said the student, who has been identified as Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara was found unconscious by a friend around 10am on Tuesday and confirmed dead shortly after officers arrived at the scene. Sepang police chief Assistant Commissioner Norhizam Bahaman said there were no signs of forced entry or sexual assault, but that the victim had sustained head injuries consistent with blunt force trauma. Police also said several of the victim's belongings, including a laptop, mobile phone, ATM card, and cash, were missing. Norhizam added that investigators detected multiple transactions using the victim's ATM card after her death. The incident has sparked concern online, with members of the public questioning both the safety of student accommodations linked to the university and the response of authorities. The incident has sparked widespread concern online, with many questioning the safety of student accommodations linked to the university. Some have also criticised what they perceive as a lack of transparency in the response by authoriities.
