7 hours ago
No place for bullies in MRSMs, says Mara chairman
RANTAU PANJANG: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) takes bullying incidents at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) seriously, especially those involving physical harm, said its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said that while such cases had generally declined, the latest incident in Terengganu was deeply disappointing.
"Alhamdulillah, overall, such cases have significantly decreased and are now rare.
"We rarely hear of incidents like this, but when they do happen, they are deeply upsetting.
"To me, any act of bullying that involves physical aggression is serious," he said.
Asyraf, who is also Umno secretary-general, was speaking to reporters after opening the Rantau Panjang Umno delegates' meeting here today.
He said Mara would not tolerate such behaviour and hoped the action taken against six MRSM students in Terengganu would serve as a warning to others.
"There will be no compromise for those involved. The action taken by Mara should be a reminder to all students across MRSM campuses," he said.
Asyraf said Mara had completed its internal investigation and expelled six students involved in the case.
He added that Mara continues to implement awareness and educational programmes to curb bullying.
"I am saddened by this incident, and my objective is to minimise, or ideally, eliminate bullying entirely," he said.
In a social media post, Asyraf confirmed that the six MRSM Besut students who bullied a Form Two student and left him injured had been expelled.
He said that there will be no compromise on bullying under any circumstances.
The victim had earlier claimed that he was bullied by a group of senior students in the boys' dormitory on Tuesday night, sustaining injuries to his abdomen, ribs and back.
According to the 14-year-old's police report, he was forced to squat with slippers on his head for 40 minutes and was punched and slapped by several Form Three students.
A warden on duty later discovered the incident and filed a report.
Earlier today, Terengganu police arrested five students to assist in investigations.
The suspects — four Form Three students and one Form Five student — have been remanded for three days beginning today to assist investigations under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.
