No grass cutting during school hours: Kamalanathan

PETALING JAYA: Grass-cutting works should not be conducted during school hours, Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said today.
Commenting on the death of Form Two student Nur Afini Roslan who was killed by a flying blade from a lawn tractor which was being used to cut the grass in the field of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Gemas on Tuesday, he said the ministry is conducting an investigation as to how the tragic incident occurred.
"The police are also investigating the case. Let's see the outcome of the investigation and action will be taken against those responsible," he told the press in Dengkil.
National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Harry Tan echoed this sentiment, saying that grass-cutting activities must be prohibited while students are at the school field or any areas within the learning institution.
He said schools should be aware of issues related to the occupational safety and health at the learning premises to avoid any untoward incidents from occurring.
NUTP also urged the Education Ministry to look into the Schools' Occupational, Health and Safety Programme manual holistically which includes the security for both the teachers and students.
Meanwhile, police have ruled out foul play after a preliminary investigation into the case.
Two other students were also injured in the incident.
Tampin district police chief Supt Hamazah Ab Razak said police would, however, conduct further investigations from all aspects.
"We will work with agencies which have the relevant expertise, such as the Public Works Department and the forensic unit to determine how the incident happened, why the blade broke and then fly 30 metres and hit the students," he said when contacted here today.
He said police had recorded a statement from the 26-year-old driver of the tractor who was released on police bail today.
The case is being investigated under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence.
In the incident which occurred at 10.30am, Nur Afini, 14, was killed and Mohd Farhan Reza Badrol Hesam, 13, and Abdullah Hazlan, 14, were injured.