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The family of a five-year-old boy who died in a school van in Malaysia’s Johor state has filed a negligence lawsuit against five parties, including the education ministry, seeking 2.08 million ringgit (US$495,831) in damages. The boy’s parents, Teo Jia Meng and Yu Yue Yang, named Tadika Perintis Indah, YK Educational Group, Double Tree Transport, van driver Yau Chee Weng and the ministry as defendants. Their lawyer, Ng Kian Nam, said the suit was filed over the defendants’ alleged negligence, which led to the death of Teo Yu Ze in the school van parked in front of a kindergarten in Taman Bukit Indah on April 30. “The first three defendants failed to implement even the most basic and systematic safety protocols to ensure and safeguard the well-being of the child entrusted to their care by the plaintiffs. “The first and second defendants also failed to check and confirm that the victim, who was transported by the van driver, had safely arrived at the kindergarten,” he told reporters outside the High Court building on Thursday after filing the suit. Ng said the defendants also failed to promptly tell and disclose to the plaintiffs the boy’s condition after discovering he had been left locked inside the van until he became unconscious. “The fourth defendant [the van driver] failed to inspect the van after dropping off the other children, even though the vehicle was small. “The defendant also failed to report and coordinate with the kindergarten to verify the number of children being transported that day,” he said. Ng said the ministry also failed to take immediate and firm action against the first and second defendants following the incident. “This includes carrying out investigations, suspending operational licences and pursuing criminal charges to protect the interests and safety of other pupils. “The couple’s claim is based on the loss of their only child, who endured severe trauma and suffering before his death. “The plaintiffs are seeking 59,301 ringgit in special damages and 2.03 million ringgit in general damages,” he added. Ng said the civil court action was filed to also send a strong message to all relevant stakeholders, including school operators, that safety must be prioritised, especially at the kindergarten level. It was reported that the boy was found unconscious in a school van outside a kindergarten in Taman Bukit Indah on April 30. On May 7, van driver Yau, 56, pleaded not guilty to a charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 of neglect or omission to care for a child in a manner likely to cause physical injury. This story was first published by The Star
