KUALA LUMPUR: Tackling bullying in academic institutions requires leaders to set a strong example, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He urged all those in charge to take responsibility and work to eliminate this harmful culture nationwide.
“This is a general advice for all institutions – whether its tahfiz, secondary schools, Chinese vernacular schools and others – this must be stopped.
“This matter requires the involvement of headmasters, principals and vice-chancellors as well as college heads,” he said.
“There are too many complaints that have surfaced and shared on social media, we need to end it.
“Or else the children would suffer,” he said when met after the Temu Anwar programme at Dewan Lestari, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) here yesterday.
Anwar said this when asked about the latest development on the alleged bullying case involving a Military Training Camp (ALK) student under UPNM recently.
Earlier at the dialogue session, Anwar stressed that the bullying culture will not be tolerated in universities and educational institutions across the country.
“It happened because the culture is being tolerated. This would not happen if the culture is rejected.
“The culture of bullying, thugs and gangsterism has been formed within the education system.
“We talk about knowledge, but we don’t realise that discipline is also essential in educating human beings. Humanity and knowledge are key to understanding,” he added.
The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is investigating a case involving a cadet student after confirming that the viral incident indeed showed the cadet being bullied by a senior, who reportedly pressed a hot iron against his chest.
Prior to this, Chief of Defence Forces Jen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman said the MAF will not compromise with any parties involved in the case.
The incident, which is believed to have taken place at UPNM in Sungai Besi, had circulated widely on social media.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the Defence Ministry will investigate the case involving the cadet officer from UPNM.
Bernama quoted him as saying that the investigation will aim to identify the suspect and may include steps to station wardens in each cadet dormitory.
“We must understand that this case involves both UPNM and the ALK, which share responsibility for cadet supervision.
“While the incident occurred at ALK, it cannot be ignored as the Prime Minister emphasised, no institution can overlook such incidents. We cannot tolerate extreme bullying in any form,” he told reporters at the UPNM Mosque yesterday.
He added that UPNM and ALK operate under a unique structure. Cadets are supervised by UPNM during academic hours from 8am to 5pm, while ALK takes over outside of those hours.
