A grieving Johor Bahru couple has filed a lawsuit demanding RM2.059 million (S$626,189) in compensation following the tragic death of their five-year-old son, who was allegedly left locked inside a school van for hours. The child’s death occurred on April 30, and his devastated parents are now seeking accountability from the kindergarten, its operator, the transport company, and the van driver.
The boy’s parents, surnamed Yu and Teo, have firmly rejected a RM100,000 (S$30,407) settlement offer from the kindergarten, calling it an inadequate and symbolic gesture that does not address the underlying negligence. “Even if you gave me RM1 million, I would still want my child back. I don’t want the money,” the mother told Malaysian media on July 30.
Driver Arrested, Parents Demand Full Accountability
The van driver, a 54-year-old man hired by the kindergarten, was arrested and later charged in May for child neglect. However, Yu and Teo argue that the responsibility does not lie with him alone. They insist the kindergarten must also answer for the incident, especially since the school had engaged the transport operator and failed to detect the child’s absence during roll-call.
Yu, who rushed back to Malaysia from Singapore upon hearing the devastating news, said the principal embraced her in tears and offered condolences. But despite this emotional reaction, the kindergarten has since denied legal responsibility and labelled the RM100,000 offer as a “sympathy payment.”
The parents’ pro bono legal team plans to formally file the lawsuit at the Johor Bahru High Court in August.
Parents Say School Failed to Do Basic Checks
The child, who never made it into class on April 30, was allegedly signed in despite his absence. Yu questioned the school’s lack of accountability and demanded to know who had marked her son present that day — a question that remains unanswered.
Teo has also made an appeal to the Attorney-General’s Chambers to expand legal proceedings beyond the van driver to include all parties involved. Speaking to China Press, Teo expressed his hope that this tragic case would push for stronger safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and sympathy across Malaysia and Singapore, with many questioning how such basic safeguards could fail in a school environment.
As the lawsuit progresses, the parents remain resolute: they want justice, accountability, and assurance that no other child will suffer a similar fate — not a payout that does little to reflect the value of a life lost.