Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Maniishapriet’s life stolen: Justice must not be delayed

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‘Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong.’

– Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States

THE tragic death of Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara, a bright and promising 20-year-old university student from Kuching, has sent ripples of sorrow and disbelief across the country.

Found dead in her hostel room at Mutiara Ville, Cyberjaya, on June 24, her murder was not only brutal – it was deeply unsettling, but the kind also pierces through the silence of daily life and leaves us questioning how safe our students are.

The bare facts are chilling.

A friend discovered Maniishapriet alone in her shared unit after her housemates had returned home for the semester break.

The autopsy confirmed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

There were no signs of sexual assault, but some of her belongings, including her phone, laptop, cash and ATM card, were missing.

In a disturbing revelation, her ATM card had been used multiple times by a male suspect after her death.

This is not just a murder – it is a violation of sanctuary.

A student’s hostel is meant to be a place of refuge and focus, especially during exam season.

Instead, Maniishapriet’s final moments were spent alone, in fear, in a place that should have felt safe.

Her story demands not only our empathy but also swift action.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, have rightly called for a thorough, transparent investigation into her death.

As Sarawakians, and as Malaysians, we owe Maniishapriet’s family nothing less than the truth and justice.

Nancy’s visit to the family is not only a gesture of compassion but a signal that this case must not be allowed to fade into the background of headlines.

Unfortunately, this tragedy also highlights a broader issue – student safety in private accommodations.

While universities often maintain their security measures, many students opt to live in off-campus condominiums or rented apartments, especially in urban hubs like Cyberjaya.

It begs the question: How many of these buildings have proper security, surveillance systems, or protocols for emergencies?

We must also consider the mental toll this news will take on her peers – particularly those living far from home, like Maniishapriet herself.

The fear that their safety could be compromised, even in their rooms, is enough to keep anyone awake at night.

These are students, not just statistics in a crime report.

They are sons and daughters, dreamers, and future professionals who come to these cities with aspirations, not with fear.

Maniishapriet’s story could be anyone’s story.

That thought alone should haunt us.

Her name must not become a footnote in the annals of unsolved murders.

She is more than a headline and more than a victim.

She was a daughter, a friend, a physiotherapy student, perhaps someone who had once envisioned returning home to serve her community and heal others.

The police have launched a manhunt, and the suspect’s use of her bank card leaves behind a digital trail.

Let this be the thread that unravels the case, not just for the sake of closure, but because justice delayed is justice denied.

As a society, we must demand accountability – not just from investigators, but from building managers, educational institutions, and lawmakers.

We must ask: How do we better protect our students, especially those living alone? What systems are in place to prevent, or at least respond to, such incidents more quickly?

There will be time for more questions, and there should be space for outrage.

But today, we grieve.

We hold space for a family that is mourning the unimaginable.

And we carry Maniishapriet’s name forward, not as a reminder of a violent end – but as a call for justice, security, and collective responsibility.

Let us not fail her.

Let us not fail the others who still believe that this world, and this country, will keep them safe.

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at sarahhafizahchandra@gmail.com.

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