BATU PAHAT, May 6 — A 60-year-old van driver has been remanded for three days starting today to assist police in the probe into the death of a Year Two pupil from a primary school in Parit Sulong here.

Batu Pahat police chief Assistant Commissioner Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the remand application for the man was made to assist investigations under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987.

“The remand order on the suspect was issued by Magistrate Nurasidah A. Rahman from today to May 8, after he was brought to the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court earlier this morning,” he said when contacted by the media today.

Earlier, the van driver was arrested after being involved in a fatal accident that claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl in front of SK Seri Maimon in Parit Sulong here.

It was reported yesterday that Nur Aini Umairah Mohd Fareez was killed after she was hit by a delivery van at 12.30pm while walking in front of the school’s main gate.

As a result of the accident, the victim suffered serious head and bodily injuries. 

She was later pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel from the Parit Sulong Health Clinic.

ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 6 — The Johor state government will set up a special task force to look into safety in schools, following a Year Two pupil’s death after she was hit by a delivery van in Batu Pahat yesterday.

Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the initiative was aimed at investigating and improving students’ safety inside and outside school premises.

He said this also included school-based activities.

“The task force will also propose solutions and improve the existing guidelines already in place,” he told reporters when met at the Johor state legislative assembly in Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here today.

It was reported yesterday that eight-year-old Nur Aini Umairah Mohd Fareez was killed after she was hit by a delivery van in front of the fenced area of SK Seri Maimon in Parit Sulong, Batu Pahat.

Aznan, who is the Tanjung Surat assemblyman, said the task force is expected to start a safe school campaign early next month, which will continue throughout the year.

He said the existing standard operating procedure involving vehicles entering and leaving school premises would be reviewed in detail.

On Nur Aini Umairah’s death, Aznan said the Johor Education Department is expected to provide counselling assistance to the victim’s family.

“The counselling assistance is to help ease the psychological impact suffered by the victim’s family,” he said, adding that other forms of assistance will also be channelled to ease their burden.