NIBONG TEBAL: The Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) disciplinary committee has recommended that the seven students involved in bullying a fellow student be expelled from the college.
Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (April 8) that two of the students in a viral video were found to have been involved in physical bullying, while the other five were accomplices.
"It was recommended that all of them be expelled from MRSM.
"No matter whose children they are, whether the children of a Tan Sri, a Datuk, or some influential individuals, if they were involved in bullying, firm and stern action will be taken against them.
"No need to find a way to talk me out of it. My office will never entertain such bullies," he wrote.
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Asyraf Wajdi said he did not agree that the students should be given a second chance because, since he was appointed chairman, he had given repeated reminders of his #YouTouchYouGo stance towards bullies.
He also said there would be no compromise with any form of bullying culture at any Mara educational institution, including MRSM.
"If you look at the video, it appears to be encouraging (others) and (shows) that it is fun to see your friends beating up someone while you record it and make fun of it.
"That is completely unacceptable," he said.
Action would also be taken against the administrators of any MRSM if there were attempts to cover up bullying cases for fear of damaging the institute's reputation and image, he added.
Asyraf Wajdi said he had spoken with Mara director-general Datuk Zulfikri Osman about the possibility of appointing permanent wardens at MRSM or giving the responsibility of maintaining student behaviour to existing teachers by increasing their allowances.
"I think there needs to be another mechanism. Maybe we can hire wardens from among retired police or military personnel," he added.
Earlier, police confirmed that the viral video was recorded at an MRSM in Penang's South Seberang Prai district in the middle of last year.
OCPD Supt Jay January Siowou said an investigation paper had also been opened after the video of the incident went viral on social media, and that the case was being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
On Monday (April 7), the 1min, 31sec video clip went viral on Facebook, showing a group of teenage boys bullying and pinning another boy down on a bed. – Bernama
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