Asyraf Wajdi: 'Bullying is a crime' campaign must start now [WATCH]

New Straits Times

19-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: A coordinated effort to combat bullying and roll out the 'Bullying is a Crime' campaign at all levels must be launched, said Majlis Amanah Rakyat chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said strict punishment must be enforced regardless of a person's background.
"If someone is involved, firm action must be taken. Bullying victims inevitably suffer severe trauma—whether physical, mental, verbal, or cyber in nature.
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"This vicious cycle—this chain of violence and bullying—must be broken. You touch, you go," he said in a video posted on Facebook.
His statement came following the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who reportedly fell from the third floor of a school hostel in Sabah.
The case has been linked to allegations of bullying among students at the school.
Asyraf said the effort must begin immediately and involve all parties—from schools, teachers, administrators, and the school environment to parents and media influences, which have been identified as contributing factors.
He added that it is crucial to instil the values of love and compassion in every student.
"If these values are not instilled in students, how can we expect to nurture a caring generation?
"Even worse, we may end up producing future leaders who lack moral values—people willing to exploit and oppress others simply because they have grown accustomed to a culture of bullying.
"Remember, bullying is a crime."
Yesterday, the Education Ministry said it is working closely with the police to investigate the death of Zara Qairina.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry would extend full cooperation to the authorities and that investigators must be allowed to carry out their work without interference.
"The incident is currently being investigated by the police. The ministry will extend its full cooperation to the authorities," she said.