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The Star

Clearer SOPs and accountability needed to combat bullying

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawmakers from both sides of the divide want the government to outline concrete steps to address the issue of bullying following the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir. During the 13th Malaysia Plan debates, Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN-Rantau Panjang) wan­ted to know what were the standard operating procedures and what type of enforcement was conducted in schools, especially at boarding schools, to curb bullying. She also asked the Education Ministry to explain the type of punishment that will be imposed on bullies, regardless of their background. Siti Zailah, who was former Deputy Women, Family and Com­munity Development Minis­ter, questioned the strategies that will be taken by the government to restore parents' confidence in the education system on the safety in schools and hostels. 'We are now witnessing a silent rejection of the boarding school system by parents who no longer trust the safety of their children in these institutions,' she said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-­Setia­wangsa) said while he welcomed the government's commitment for a transparent probe, the fundamental issue of the case involved the safety of school children. 'I hope the Education Minister will not be defensive in this matter. The issue of bullying has now gained significant national attention. 'If it requires us to make a shift in our education system, then we must be willing to do so to ensure the welfare of our children is guaranteed. 'Matters such as student deve­lopment or academic achievement cannot be our focus if we cannot even guarantee the basic safety in schools,' he added. Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-­Ketereh) proposed that the Edu­cation Ministry hire military vete­rans as wardens in schools and boarding schools. 'Military veterans still carry themselves with discipline in how they work, interact and socialise. 'These traits are deeply ingrai­ned from their military upbrin­ging. 'Many still have children to support and have financial needs after retirement. If the government doesn't assist them, they are often left in a difficult position. 'Therefore, we propose that the Education Ministry consider ­hiring military veterans as wardens in school hostels, to prevent bullying incidents, which are increa­singly common in many schools today,' he said. Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) ­suggested conducting internal audits and installing CCTVs in schools, urging the allocation of a budget for these measures to ensure students' safety. Zara Qairina was found unconscious near a drain close to her hostel at a religious school in Papar on July 16. She subsequently died from injuries the next day. Her body was exhumed on Saturday for a post-mortem order­ed by the Attorney General's Chambers as part of further investigations into her death. Her remains were reburied 30 hours after the post-mortem. With the completion of the post-­mortem, Sabah police have yet to indicate the next course of their investigations.