Latest news with #PrivateHigherEducationalInstitutionsAct1996
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Bullying will not be tolerated, minister warns
PETALING JAYA: Thirty-one cases of bullying have been reported in eight public universities over the past decade, the Higher Education Ministry revealed yesterday, vowing zero tolerance for such misconduct. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir told the Dewan Rakyat that the incidents, recorded between 2014 and 2025, involved both physical and cyberbullying. He said contributing factors included social and psychological issues, campus environments, social media influence and lack of parental supervision. 'The ministry will not protect offenders and will cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure transparent and professional investigations.' Students in public universities found guilty of bullying may face disciplinary action under Regulation 3(1)(a)(2) of the Student Disciplinary Rules, which were standardised through amendments in 2024. 'Penalties vary according to the seriousness of the offence and include warnings, up to 24 hours of community service, fines of up to RM500, bans from certain campus areas, expulsion from student residences, suspension or permanent expulsion from the university.' For private institutions, Zambry said the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555) places responsibility on chief executives to oversee student welfare and discipline, including the prevention and management of bullying. He stressed that the ministry practises zero tolerance towards bullying and will cooperate fully with authorities. 'Public universities have taken steps including fostering a zero-tolerance stance, creating channels for reporting, increasing CCTV coverage, running awareness campaigns, strengthening character-development programmes and establishing standard procedures for addressing misconduct.' To a supplementary question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN–Alor Setar) on the 'You Touch, You Go' approach by Mara Junior Science Colleges – where swift action is taken upon detecting bullying – Zambry said serious or criminal cases are promptly referred to the authorities. When asked for an update on the investigation into the death of cadet trainee Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, Zambry said the task force is expected to finalise its report soon. Syamsul Haris was a cadet trainee from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudai Reserve Officers Training Unit. The 22-year-old died on July 28 at Kota Tinggi Hospital after completing training at the Combat Inoculation Range, Army Land Training Centre in Kota Tinggi, Johor. A special committee comprising representatives from the Defence, Home and Health ministries was formed to review the case. 'We anticipate the findings soon. On Monday, I met with the family and spoke with the mother. She formally requested a reinvestigation, and I have conveyed the matter to the Attorney General's Chambers.' Zambry stressed that the ministry would not shield perpetrators of bullying or violence in higher learning institutions. 'If it's serious and a criminal offence, we will immediately report it to the police.' On Aug 1, police launched a detailed investigation into the cause of death. Kota Tinggi district police chief Superintendent Yusof Othman said statements from witnesses and medical officers would be recorded to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
31 bullying cases reported at eight public unis from 2014 to 2025, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 31 cases of bullying were reported in eight public universities between 2014 and 2025, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the cases involved physical bullying and cyberbullying, which can stem from socio-psychological factors, campus environment, social media influence and lack of parental supervision. He added that for public universities, students involved in bullying can face disciplinary action under Regulation 3(1)(a)(2) of the Student Disciplinary Rules, which were standardised through amendments in 2024. "These rules provide for punishments based on the seriousness of the offence, including warnings, community service not exceeding 240 hours, fines of up to RM500, prohibition from entering certain areas of campus, expulsion from student residences, suspension, or expulsion from the university," he said during Ministers' Question Time (MQT) in Parliament Tuesday (Aug 12). Zambry was responding to a question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) who asked to reveal the measures taken to curb bullying incidents in public and private higher education institutions. The Higher Education Minister said that for private institutions, the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 places the responsibility on the chief executive to ensure student welfare and discipline, including the prevention and handling of bullying. He also highlighted that the ministry practises zero tolerance towards bullying and will cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure transparent and professional investigations. "Measures implemented across public universities include promoting a zero-tolerance culture, establishing reporting mechanisms, expanding CCTV coverage, conducting awareness programmes, strengthening character-building activities and developing standard operating procedures for managing misconduct," he said. To a supplementary question on a proposal to adopt the "You Touch, You Go" approach practised by Mara Junior Science Colleges, where immediate action is taken when bullying is detected at higher education institutions, Zambry said higher education institutions have their own set of regulations to deal with bullying. Any cases deemed serious or criminal in nature are immediately referred to the authorities, especially the police, he added.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
31 bullying cases recorded in public universities since 2014, says Zambry
KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry has recorded 31 cases of bullying in eight public universities between 2014 and 2025, the Dewan Rakyat heard today. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the cases involved physical bullying and cyberbullying, which can stem from socio-psychological factors, campus environment, social media influence and lack of parental supervision. For public universities, students involved in bullying can face disciplinary action under Regulation 3(1)(a)(2) of the Student Disciplinary Rules, which were standardised through amendments in 2024. "These rules provide for punishments based on the seriousness of the offence, including warnings, community service not exceeding 240 hours, fines of up to RM500, prohibition from entering certain areas of campus, expulsion from student residences, suspension, or expulsion from the university," he said during the Minister's Question Time (MQT). Zambry said that for private institutions, the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 places the responsibility on the chief executive to ensure student welfare and discipline, including the prevention and handling of bullying. He stressed that the ministry practises zero tolerance towards bullying and will cooperate fully with the authorities to ensure transparent and professional investigations. "Measures implemented across public universities include promoting a zero-tolerance culture, establishing reporting mechanisms, expanding CCTV coverage, conducting awareness programmes, strengthening character-building activities and developing standard operating procedures for managing misconduct," he said. To a supplementary question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN - Alor Star) on a proposal to adopt the "You Touch, You Go" approach practised by Mara Junior Science Colleges, where immediate action is taken when bullying is detected, Zambry said cases deemed serious or criminal in nature are immediately referred to the authorities, especially the police.
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Universities told to enhance safety rules following dorm murder
PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has moved to tighten safety regulations across all public and private universities nationwide following the murder of a female student at a private university dormitory in Cyberjaya. In a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry remained committed to ensuring institutions of higher learning provide a safe and conducive environment for students, both on and off campus. Zambry said under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555), the chief executive of every private university is responsible for overseeing student welfare, discipline, administration and academic affairs in an orderly and accountable manner. 'To enhance safety standards, the ministry has begun enforcing two existing guidelines – the Off-Campus Student Management Guidelines introduced in 2021 and the Private Higher Education Institutions Premises Standards and Guidelines issued in 2023. 'They serve as references for all institutions to improve the safety and comfort of student accommodation, particularly for those residing off campus.' Following the incident, the ministry has instructed all institutions to fully implement the guidelines. It has also proposed the establishment of structured Off-Campus Student Management units at larger institutions or the appointment of dedicated officers to handle student housing matters on smaller campuses. In addition, institutions are encouraged to engage regularly with community stakeholders such as the Rukun Tetangga, community crime watch groups, joint management bodies and the police to strengthen monitoring and security efforts. Zambry said the ministry also recommends that off-campus student housing be managed on a block basis to avoid mixed occupancy with the general public. This would make it easier to monitor and respond to potential threats. Other measures include improving lighting in high-risk areas, increasing the number of CCTVs, hiring more security personnel and mapping out accommodation zones with elevated safety risks. 'Student welfare is a shared responsibility involving the ministry, campus administrators, enforcement agencies and local communities. The government will not compromise on student safety.'
The Sun
30-07-2025
- The Sun
Govt tightens campus safety rules after Cyberjaya murder
PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has moved to tighten safety regulations across all public and private universities nationwide following the murder of a female student at a private university dormitory in Cyberjaya. In a written parliamentary reply yesterday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry is committed to ensuring that institutions of higher learning provide a safe and conducive environment for students, both on and off campus. Zambry noted that under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555), the chief executive of every private university is responsible for overseeing student welfare, discipline, administration, and academic affairs in an orderly and accountable manner. 'To enhance safety standards, the ministry has begun enforcing two existing guidelines — the Off-Campus Student Management Guidelines introduced in 2021, and the Private Higher Education Institutions Premises Standards and Guidelines issued in 2023. 'These frameworks serve as references for all institutions to improve the safety and comfort of student accommodation, particularly for those residing off-campus.' Following the incident, the ministry has instructed all institutions to fully implement the guidelines. It has also proposed the establishment of structured Off-Campus Student Management Units at larger institutions, or the appointment of dedicated officers to handle student housing matters in smaller campuses. In addition, institutions are encouraged to engage regularly with community stakeholders such as Rukun Tetangga, community crime watch groups, joint management bodies, and the police to strengthen monitoring and security. Zambry said the ministry recommends that off-campus student housing be managed on a block basis to avoid mixed occupancy with the general public, as this would make it easier to monitor and respond to potential threats. He added that additional safety measures are being taken, including improving lighting in high-risk areas, increasing the number of CCTV installations, hiring more security personnel, and mapping out accommodation areas with elevated safety risks. 'To ensure ongoing compliance, the ministry will intensify periodic inspections and audits, and take enforcement action against any institution that fails to meet the required standards. 'Student welfare is a shared responsibility involving the ministry, campus administrators, enforcement agencies, and local communities – and the government will not compromise on matters of student safety.'
