A year on and still traumatised, Orang Asli pupils refuse to go back to school

Until now, Mirsudiar Aluj, 12, and Norieen Yaakob still have not began their schooling.

In August last year, seven SK Tohoi pupils escaped from the schoolhostel as they feared punishment by a teacher after they were said to have gone for a swim without permission.

After missing for almost 50 days, Norieen Yaakob, 11, and Miksudiar Aluj, 12, were found starving and dehydrated on a river bank in the forest.

Besides Miksudiar and Norieen, five other children who went missing were Ika Ayel (9 years), Sasa Sobrie (8), Haikal Yaakob (8), Linda Rosli (8) and Juvina David (7), all from Kampung Gawin and Kampung Penad.

Four of the children - Ika, Haikal, Linda and Juvina were later found dead, while Sasa has yet to be found.

More than 350 personnel from various security agencies and the public were involved in the search operations for the seven pupils until the SAR team found the first body on October 7.

INFOGRAPHIC: Mystery of 7 missing Orang Asli students in Pos Tohoi

Norieen's mother, Midah Angah, 41 said since last May, her daughter has been staying with her relatives in Kuala Lumpur.

"She is expected to be back here in October. She wants to go back to school but don't know when. I won't send her to the same school again and I hope will be given another school," she said.

Meanwhile, Gua Musang district education officer Muhammad Zahari Othman when contacted said they are willing to allow the two pupils to choose which school they want to attend.