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Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Suhakam criticises MoE over lack of concrete action against school bullying
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today urged the Ministry of Education (MOE) to take stronger action against bullying, saying current efforts fall short of protecting students. Children's Commissioner (CC) Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said schools must become safe spaces again, warning that fear and violence are becoming normalised. In the span of one week, three disturbing cases involving 13 to 15-year-olds have emerged, including a student who jumped from a school building and a serious assault, she said. The Children's Commissioner said she contacted the MOE to confirm if the cases were under review and found the ministry was aware but had yet to act decisively. 'While the CC welcomes these efforts, the CC urges the MOE to take more concrete and immediate action. 'In reviewing the MOE's Guidelines for Handling Bullying in Schools (launched in 2023), the CC notes provisions requiring engagement between the parents of the bully and the victim,' she said in a statement. She raised doubts about whether teachers investigating bullying cases were properly trained or supervised. The guidelines require parental involvement but there are concerns about the consistency and outcome of such engagement, she added. Dr Farah also called for more proactive school monitoring, particularly in dorms, halls, and prefect rooms where abuse may occur. Statistics from MOE show a worrying trend, with over 11,000 students involved in nearly 6,000 bullying cases in 2023 alone. Dr Farah then insisted that the education system must do more to protect students and uphold their right to a safe learning environment.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Witnesses in Taiping prison inquiry barred from viewing CCTV footage
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki are leading the panel overseeing the inquiry. KUALA LUMPUR : Suhakam has instructed the Taiping prison department to bar all upcoming witnesses in an ongoing public inquiry into alleged human rights abuses at the prison from accessing the related CCTV footage. The inquiry follows claims that about 60 prison wardens assaulted more than 100 inmates at Taiping prison on Jan 17. Suhakam is investigating the alleged abuse, which is believed to have resulted in the death of one inmate and injuries to several others. Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki are leading the panel overseeing the inquiry, with Hishamudin expressing concern that allowing witnesses prior access to the CCTV recordings could compromise the accuracy of their statements. He issued the directive after it was revealed that prison officer Mustakhim Abdul Rahim had viewed the classified footage in advance, along with an officer named Rizal and three others identified only by their nicknames. Mustakhim admitted to viewing the footage with the approval of a deputy prison director, citing the six-month gap since the incident and his need to 'refresh his memory'. However, Hishamudin and Farah questioned why such access was permitted, pointing out that the footage was classified and should not be used to influence or prepare witness testimony. Hishamudin emphasised that advance viewing of the CCTV recordings would undermine the integrity of the inquiry. 'If every witness is allowed to view the CCTV beforehand, they'll come in well-prepared – not to uphold justice, but to protect themselves,' he said. The panel further ruled that any notes brought into future sessions must be vetted, after observing that Mustakhim's responses appeared scripted rather than based on genuine recollections of the event. Mustakhim was also issued a warning by Hishamudin and Farah midway through today's inquiry after he persistently denied involvement in the events shown in the CCTV footage. According to the footage, a man identified as Mustakhim by 10 different witnesses – both officers and inmates – was seen beating and kicking prisoners. Mustakhim, however, repeatedly denied being the individual captured on video, stating, 'It looks like me, but it isn't me.' He also claimed the footage was 'too blurry' for him to confirm the identity of the person shown. Throughout the session, the panel noted that Mustakhim frequently responded with, 'I don't know' or 'I'm not sure,' and claimed he could not recall many details of the incident. Pressed about his alleged memory lapses, including his failure to recall key actions such as kicking or hitting inmates, Mustakhim said his attention had since shifted to other matters. 'I went on holiday on Jan 20 for three weeks, so my focus was on my family,' he said. Hishamudin and Farah warned that a police report could be lodged against Mustakhim if he continued to withhold or distort the truth despite the evidence presented. The inquiry resumes tomorrow.
Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Suhakam panel chides Taiping prison official for being evasive
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki were on the panel holding the inquiry today. KUALA LUMPUR : The Suhakam panel probing the alleged abuse of Taiping prison inmates on Jan 17, which led to one death, reprimanded a prison official today for being evasive during an inquiry into the incident. Taiping prison deputy superintendent Teuku Hasbi Tarmizi, 38, who is among the prison's top five officials, was testifying as a witness during the public inquiry when he gave non-committal answers to questions from the panel. Hasbi had repeatedly said he was 'not sure' when asked whether he had ordered a light strike force team to be prepared to move the purportedly uncooperative inmates from a hall to another block. This prompted Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus to say: 'Please speak the truth, you're testifying under oath. You can't always say 'I'm not sure'.' Hasbi acknowledged Hishamudin's reprimand and answered that he did not order an LSF team to be prepared to transfer the inmates, who had refused to be relocated. He was reprimanded by Hishamudin again after evading questions about the police investigation into the incident, for which he was summoned twice. 'It's like you're finding it difficult to answer the question. Please answer and be honest,' the former Court of Appeal judge said. 'What did you testify about? Did they not tell you why you had to testify, the purpose of the investigation?' Suhakam commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki pointed out that the police had received reports from Taiping prison, the next of kin of the deceased inmate, as well as the family members of other inmates who were allegedly abused. When asked repeatedly which case he was summoned to attend, Hasbi remained silent. Hishamudin then said he would note it down as the witness having no answer, to which Hasbi replied it was because he could not remember. 'I think the police investigating officers told me but I can't remember which case it was,' he said. 'Are you afraid of implicating your colleagues?' After viewing CCTV footage of the incident at the inquiry, the Suhakam panel asked Hasbi if he agreed that violence had been used by prison personnel on the inmates. He remained silent. Hishamudin: You were summoned to testify to assist in the inquiry. Your attitude right now is not helping us. Are you trying to hide something? Hasbi: No. Hishamudin: Then just answer the questions, they're very easy. Do you see any violence used by the personnel on the inmates? Hasbi did not answer the question, saying instead it was 'more (due) to emotion'. Farah reminded him that their question was whether he agreed that violence had been used on the inmates, not the cause of the incident. She pointed out that one inspector Rizal could be seen in the video stomping on a few inmates several times. Farah: Is that violence and cruelty or is that normal? Hasbi: It's not a norm. So maybe it's violence. Farah: So you confirm that violence was used? Hasbi: Yes, but I did not (witness) the incident. Based on the CCTV footage, then maybe it's violence. Asked what he, as a superior officer, did to stop the incident, Hasbi said he shouted at them. However, he said he could not recall what exactly he had shouted. Hishamudin asked if he was fearful of testifying at the inquiry because he might implicate his colleagues, which Hasbi denied. Hishamudin: Then why do you need to take so long to think? Why aren't you answering the questions, as if there's something you're afraid of?. Hasbi: I'm not afraid but I'm just unsure. Hasbi said the prison personnel involved did not stop assaulting the inmates despite him shouting as the situation had gone out of control. When Farah asked if this meant that his subordinates would not follow his orders once a situation went 'out of control', he replied: 'Maybe.' Suhakam is investigating claims that more than 60 officers assaulted more than 100 inmates, resulting in one death and many others being injured. The inquiry continues until July 10, and from July 23 to July 25.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
High-rise tragedies show a systemic failure to ensure child safety, says children's commissioner
PETALING JAYA: Recent fatal falls from high-rise buildings involving children reflect a prevalent failure to prioritise their safety in the home, says the Suhakam children's commissioner. Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said such cases could have been prevented with proper safety measures in place, coupled with awareness and enforcement of safety regulations. "These back-to-back tragedies are not isolated accidents," she said in a statement on Friday (June 6). ALSO READ: Safer high-rises for kids "They are preventable deaths that starkly expose the failure to implement essential safety measures in high-rise residential buildings. "These children did not have to die," she added. She said the recent cases were a direct consequence of a systemic failure to prioritise child safety where it matters most – in the home. "As a party to the (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child, Malaysia is duty-bound to protect every child's right to life, development, and protection from foreseeable harm. ALSO READ: Four-year-old boy dies after fall from 30th-floor of Bukit Jalil apartment "A safe home environment is not a luxury. "Providing a safe home environment is a legal and moral obligation," she said. Her remarks follow the death of a four-year-old boy who is believed to have fallen from the 30th-floor balcony of an apartment in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (June 5) morning. On May 21, a seven-year-old girl fell from the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong, Subang Jaya. On May 17, a boy aged two years and eight months died after falling from the seventh floor of a public housing unit in Precinct 9, Putrajaya. ALSO READ: Seven-year-old girl dies after falling from Puchong condo The Star had previously highlighted the dangers posed to children living in high-rise buildings and suggestions by child activists on how to better ensure their safety. Dr Farah called in both Federal and state authorities, including stakeholders, to urgently implement measures to prevent further tragedies. Among them, she said, were enacting specific laws to enhance child safety in high-rise residential buildings. "This includes making it mandatory for all apartment and flat units, including rental units, to be equipped with safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies. "Additionally, minimum safety design standards for child-friendly high-rise units must be established under existing building laws or regulations," she said. ALSO READ: Boy dies in fall from seventh floor of Putrajaya housing block At present, under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), balcony railings of residential high-rise buildings cannot be less than 1m or 1,000mm in height, but local authorities can impose stricter requirements. However, it is mandatory for window grilles to be installed in residential high-rise buildings under the UBBL, although it could be regulated by the building's management or voluntarily installed by the owners. "Current building design for child safety standards must be reviewed and integrated as mandatory requirements in all high-rise residential developments," Dr Farah said. She also called on local authorities to conduct regular and strict compliance inspections of high-rise units, especially rental properties, to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. "To all parents, while we push for reforms to take place, in the meantime, vigilance is key. "If you live in a high-rise residence, never leave young children unattended, and ensure safety measures are installed," she added.
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Boy, 4, dies after falling from 30th floor of Bukit Jalil condo
Cheras police chief Aidil Bolhassan said the case has been classified as sudden death and that investigations are ongoing. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A four-year-old boy died after he fell from the balcony of his home on the 30th floor of a condominium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, today. Cheras police chief Aidil Bolhassan said an emergency call was received at around 11.17am today and a team was deployed to the location immediately, Bernama reported. 'The body has been sent to the forensic unit of Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital and the post-mortem will be carried out tomorrow,' he said in a statement. Aidil said the case has been classified as sudden death and that investigations were ongoing. A 37-second video showing a man believed to be related to the victim crying by the child's body had gone viral. Earlier today, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) called for the enactment of specific laws to enhance child safety legislation in high-rise residential buildings, following the recent deaths of a seven-year-old and two-year-old in separate incidents. Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said child safety laws to be enacted by the housing and local government ministry should include mandatory safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies for apartment and flat units. She also urged the government to review current building design guidelines, saying they must include minimum safety standards to ensure high-rise units are child-friendly. The seven-year-old girl who died on May 20 fell from a babysitter's home on the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong. Subang Jaya deputy police chief Fairus Jaafar said preliminary findings indicated that the victim climbed out of the window, which had no safety grilles installed. On May 17, a two-year-old boy fell from the seventh floor of a public housing building in Precinct 9, Putrajaya.
