Police find no bullying link in Kuching school attack and send case to prosecutors

Sarawak police have finished investigating the 21 October attack on a teacher at a private international school in Kuching and sent their papers to the deputy public prosecutor, acting state police commissioner Saifullizan Ishak said on 28 October 2026.

Police found no evidence that the 16-year-old pupil had been bullied before the attack. "We have not found any evidence so far linking bullying to the incident," Saifullizan said at a press conference at state police headquarters.

Preliminary findings point to depression as the cause, he said. Police have not formally set a motive and are waiting for a forensic psychiatrist's report on the boy's state of mind at the time, including whether he was in control of his actions.

The papers went to the prosecutor on 26 October. The prosecutor will decide on charges once the psychiatric report arrives. The pupil remains in hospital for treatment and assessment.

The investigation

• Police took statements from 38 witnesses, among them pupils, teachers, security guards, medical staff and the boy's parents.
• They seized an axe, a knife, firecrackers, a computer and a mobile phone, and sent them to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
• The boy bought the axe online.
• Claims that online games or other content influenced him are still being checked, and police said they would draw no conclusion without credible evidence.

The case is being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code, which covers voluntarily causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, and under explosives law.

The 42-year-old teacher was cut on her left hand while trying to take a weapon from the pupil. The wound did not reach muscle or bone, and she has been discharged from a private hospital in Kuching. The school reopened with extra security after the attack.

Saifullizan asked the public not to speculate or share unverified information because the case involves a minor.