Saifuddin to seek clarification on mediation claim in cancer survivor's bullying case
Saifuddin was answering a question in today's Dewan Rakyat sitting by Muar member of parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who raised concerns surrounding reports that police had initially attempted to mediate between the families involved rather than launching an immediate investigation.
"If there are elements of improvement suggested, that while the police may have good intentions in being mediators but this isn't enough and that they must immediately take investigative action, I welcome it," he said.
Saifuddin, however, said since amendments to the Penal Code came into force on July 11, police had opened several investigation papers into bullying cases.
"This shows that when there is improvement to the law, it has allowed the police to act. Zara (Qairina Mahathir's) case, for example, (the accused) have been charged under the amended section, making it the first case where we have charged (someone under the amended law).
"Whether (the amendments) have benefited or not, let the courts develop the law. Then, we will see from there," he said.
On Aug 17, it was reported that a 10-year-old cancer survivor had suffered brain trauma and memory loss after allegedly being bullied twice this year.
The boy, who has been fighting adenoid cystic carcinoma for the past two years, was allegedly attacked first by an 11-year-old boy at a religious school and later by a 10-year-old classmate at a primary school.
Johor police chief Commissioner Ab Rahaman Arsad said they had recorded statements from seven people, including medical officers, schoolmates and family members.
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