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Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Bullying, the blight of our society
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads WhatsApp Telegram Several decades ago, back in my primary school days, I found myself staring down the ugly face of bullying. I was unaware of the reasons then, perhaps I simply looked like an easy target. But there was one certainty; I was not the kind to suffer in silence. As a good student and a teacher's favourite, I took the bold step of reporting the matter. My teacher wasted no time; swift justice was served, and the bullies quickly learned their lesson. Back then, teachers were still permitted to cane students, a practice now considered abusive. I even witnessed public caning during school assemblies, where naughty students, including bullies, were punished before the entire student body. The discipline teacher held nothing back; his strokes left visible marks on the offenders. Discipline in those days was far stricter and more severe. Today, however, some students seem 'untouchable,' and teachers often hesitate to discipline them for fear of backlash from parents or even legal action. Bullying, whether in schools, universities or workplaces, has always been a social ill. But in recent years, it has become disturbingly rampant, with high-profile cases shaking the public's conscience. The names Zulfarhan and Zara now stand as tragic reminders of how bullying can escalate to irreversible consequences. The human cost is devastating. In May 2017, 20-year-old naval cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain at the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) was subjected to horrific torture by his peers, who accused him of stealing a laptop. Over several days, they pressed a steam iron against his body repeatedly, causing deep burns and internal injuries. Despite his deteriorating condition, he was denied medical help. On 1 June 2017, Zulfarhan succumbed to his injuries at the Serdang Hospital. Following his death, the police arrested 36 individuals for questioning, eventually charging six cadets with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carried a mandatory death sentence at the time. Another set of individuals faced charges for causing grievous hurt. The case drew nationwide outrage, not only because of the brutality but also because the perpetrators were fellow students at a military institution, an environment expected to uphold discipline and camaraderie. The trial revealed chilling details: Zulfarhan had been tied up, beaten and burned with the iron more than 30 times, mostly on his chest, arms and legs. Witness testimonies painted a picture of sustained abuse over multiple sessions, punctuated by threats and taunts. Initially, the High Court found the six principal accused guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced them to 18 years in prison. The prosecution appealed, and in 2021, the Court of Appeal upgraded the conviction to murder, imposing the death penalty. However, in 2023, the Federal Court overturned the murder convictions, reducing them once again to culpable homicide. The court ruled that while the acts were undeniably cruel, there was insufficient evidence to prove intent to kill beyond reasonable doubt, a legal requirement for a murder conviction. As a result, the death sentences were commuted to 18 years' imprisonment each. This decision ignited a storm of public debate. Many Malaysians felt the reduced sentence failed to match the gravity of the crime, especially given the prolonged nature of the torture. Others argued that the ruling reflected the court's duty to apply the law strictly to the evidence, even in emotionally charged cases. Regardless of differing opinions, the outcome left a lingering question: does our justice system send a strong enough message that extreme bullying leading to death will never be tolerated? In July 2025, another case sent shockwaves nationwide. Thirteen-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir was found unconscious near the girls' dormitory of her school, SMKA Tun Mustapha, in Papar, Sabah. With severe injuries and broken limbs, she was placed on life support but tragically passed away the next day. While authorities initially treated the case as a fall, the presence of bruises on her body, reported by her mother, fuelled suspicions of bullying and possible foul play. A post-mortem was ordered after her exhumation, and the federal authorities vowed transparency, with Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim asserting: 'Whoever is involved in a criminal act … will not be protected.' Sabah police remain open to bullying as a contributing factor, while civil society leaders are now calling for an Anti-Bullying Act to treat such incidents as criminal, not merely disciplinary. More recently, a highly publicised case at a MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) in Melaka crystalised growing public tension around bullying. A video circulated showing students physically and verbally abusing a classmate in a dormitory. MARA responded swiftly with expulsions and invoked its 'zero-tolerance' stance. However, when parents threatened to sue, the incident ignited a heated debate: is harsh discipline necessary or should rehabilitation be prioritised? These cases have reopened the conversation on whether Malaysia is doing enough to prevent such tragedies. According to data from the Ministry of Education, reported bullying cases jumped from 3,887 in 2022 to 5,891 in 2023. By October 2024, 5,703 more cases had already involved nearly 11,600 students. The numbers are alarming, not just for their size, but for the reality they represent: thousands of children and teenagers experiencing fear, humiliation and sometimes physical harm in places meant to nurture their growth. I reached out to Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Development Studies Sabah, who has been vocal on the matter. He noted that these incidents of bullying are painful reminders of past tragedies like Zulfarhan's. They highlight an urgent need for real, practical change, not just sympathy or reactionary measures after a tragedy. Dr Ramzah emphasised that schools must establish clear and confidential reporting systems, have trained counsellors available, install CCTV in vulnerable areas such as dormitories and commit to transparent investigations for every report. Only with these measures, he argued, can we create learning environments that are truly safe, supportive and free from fear, where every student is heard, and none are left to suffer in silence. The causes of bullying are complex, rooted in a mixture of individual, social and systemic factors. At an individual level, some bullies act out of insecurity, jealousy or a need to assert dominance. Socially, the normalisation of aggressive behaviour, whether in homes where violence is common or in media consumed by young people, can foster an environment where bullying is seen as acceptable. In schools, cliques and peer pressure can make it easier for bullying to spread, especially when others stay silent out of fear of becoming the next target. Systemically, inadequate school policies, lack of enforcement and insufficient teacher training contribute to the problem. Some teachers are reluctant to act because they fear complaints from parents, while others may simply lack the skills to mediate conflicts effectively. In the workplace, hierarchical cultures, poor management and job insecurity can create fertile ground for adult bullying, where intimidation and verbal abuse can be used to maintain control. Technology has added another dimension. Cyberbullying allows perpetrators to harass, humiliate and threaten victims beyond school or office walls, often anonymously. This constant accessibility means that victims can feel trapped, with no safe space to retreat to. Online humiliation can spread rapidly, leaving a permanent digital footprint. In extreme cases, online bullying campaigns have driven victims to self-harm or even suicide, echoing Dr Ramzah's point that bullied teens are nearly five times more likely to attempt suicide. Dealing effectively with bullying requires a multi-pronged approach. For schools, prevention must be as important as punishment. This approach means incorporating anti-bullying education into the curriculum, fostering peer support networks and empowering bystanders to speak up. Teachers need specialised training to recognise early signs of bullying and to intervene appropriately. Importantly, discipline should be consistent and fair, sending a clear message that bullying in any form will be dealt with severely. For workplaces, clear policies against harassment, confidential reporting channels and strong enforcement are essential. Human resource departments must take complaints seriously, ensuring victims are protected from retaliation. Leaders play a crucial role in setting the tone; when managers model respect and zero tolerance for abusive behaviour, it filters down through the organisation. Society as a whole must reject the idea that bullying is a 'normal' part of growing up or a test of toughness. That outdated mindset enables abuse to persist. Parents should actively teach empathy, respect and conflict resolution from an early age, while also monitoring their children's online behaviour. Media campaigns can further raise awareness and reduce stigma around reporting bullying. In reflecting on the strict discipline of past decades and the challenges of today, it is clear that while some old methods such as public caning may no longer be acceptable, the pendulum should never swing so far that authority figures feel powerless. There must be a balanced approach: firm enforcement of rules, coupled with education and support, to protect both the rights and the wellbeing of all students and workers. Ultimately, the tragedies of Zulfarhan and Zara should never have happened. They should stand as turning points, spurring Malaysia to confront bullying with the seriousness it demands. Justice for victims is not only about court sentences; it is about creating a culture where such acts are unthinkable in the first place. When I reflect on my own experience as a child, I realise the extent to which I was fortunate that adults stepped in and acted firmly. Today's victims deserve that same protection, without fear, without hesitation and without waiting for another tragedy to remind us of the stakes involved. Until we reach that point, we lack the basis to claim that our schools, universities and workplaces are truly the safe havens they are meant to be. Footnote Dr Richard A. Gontusan is a Human Resource Skills Training and Investment Consultant. He firmly believes that every case of bullying must be reported and addressed swiftly, severely, and fairly. His views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of The Borneo Post Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads WhatsApp Telegram
New Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Forensic pathologist reveals the reality behind high-profile autopsies
KUALA LUMPUR: From decomposed bodies to recent tragedies such as the death of a family in Sungai Korok, one profession quietly unravels the cause of death in Malaysia's most disturbing cases. Forensic pathologists are key to unlocking the truth behind mysterious deaths, yet their work often goes unnoticed. Contrary to public belief, their role extends far beyond performing autopsies. Dr Nadiawati Abdul Razak, senior lecturer and head of the Forensic Medicine Unit at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), described her journey and the pressure that comes with revealing the final answers in death. "My Interest in the field of forensic pathology began to blossom during my clinical attachment training as a house officer in the hospital's forensic department. "I had the opportunity to observe how post-mortems were conducted in complex death cases and how forensic pathologists pieced together scientific facts to uncover the truth behind deaths involving criminal elements," she said. She said that each case comes with its own challenges, but the ones that left an impact were those involving children who died as a result of abuse. "These cases are not only technically and legally challenging, but also deeply emotional, as I, too, feel the sorrow as a human being and a parent,. "Seeing the suffering that no child should ever endure gives me the strength to do my best to ensure that justice is served," she said. Dr Nadiawati has handled national and international disaster victim identification (DVI) operations, including the Maahad Tahfiz fire in 2017, COVID-19 fatalities, and landslide tragedies. In high-profile cases, she said pathologists must remain objective despite immense pressure from the media, police, lawyers, and public. "In the fast-paced era of social media, information spreads easily before the forensic process is fully completed," she said. In such cases, she said integrity and scientific accuracy are vital. "We follow strict protocols based on WHO and Royal College of Pathologists standards. Every external and internal finding, radiological scan, and lab result is documented ." She added that she is also working with UPNM's computer science department on AI research for use in the field. "I am currently collaborating with the Computer Science Department at UPNM on a study related to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in analysing types of injuries based on images or photographs obtained from the authorities. She said the aim is to improve the accuracy of identifying injury patterns in an objective and scientific manner, which can also serve as strong evidence in court. This technology also has the potential to speed up the analysis process in high-profile cases or those involving multiple victims. "In addition, I am also conducting research in the field of forensic anthropology under a grant from UPNM's Research and Innovation Division, focusing on estimating the age at death based on morphological examination of the spine using CT scan images," she said. This study aims to develop a more accurate age estimation method suitable for use within the local population, with particular focus on changes that occur in the vertebrae as a person ages. The study has the potential to be used in cases involving the identification of human remains, especially when only partial skeletal remains are recovered from a scene."It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to improving the accuracy of skeletal biological profiling and further strengthen forensic anthropology practices in Malaysia," she said.
The Star
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
M'sia to prioritise neutrality, strategic hedging at Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings are set to convene here next week, with maritime disputes, economic headwinds including impending US tariffs, and shifting global dynamics expected to dominate the agenda. Against this complex global geopolitical backdrop and intensifying US-China rivalry in the South China Sea, Malaysia, as chair, is expected to adopt a neutral yet proactive stance in leading the regional bloc to foster constructive engagement with its external partners for peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific. ALSO READ: Road closures in stages for 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, says Bukit Aman International relations and defence expert Dr Nor Aishah Hanifa said Malaysia's leadership in Asean would prioritise peace, stability, and the rule of law in navigating major power competition in the Indo-Pacific. "The 46th Asean Summit reaffirmed the region's commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. "All leaders emphasised maximum restraint and the importance of upholding the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC)," the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) senior lecturer told Bernama. ALSO READ: Over 5,000 police personnel on duty for Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting from July 8 to 11 Nor Aishah said Malaysia, as Asean Chair, would maintain good relations with both the United States and China, its key trading partners, while pursuing a hedging strategy to safeguard sovereignty and mitigate risks associated with geopolitical uncertainty. She said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's active foreign engagements reflect Malaysia's broader strategy to diversify economic ties and reduce reliance on any single major power. "Malaysia is a middle power. Hedging allows us to balance both sides and pursue our national interests without aligning too closely with either major power," she said, adding that such a strategy remains vital in today's volatile international system. She said that amid ongoing maritime tensions, Malaysia would continue diplomatic engagement with China and advocate for the speedy implementation of a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. ALSO READ: How Asean can thrive through innovation and collaboration "Malaysia's tone will remain diplomatic, aiming to avoid escalation," she said. On the potential outcome of the 58th AMM, she said Malaysia and fellow Asean members were in a unique position to persuade China towards a more concrete COC, especially as economic headwinds prompt Beijing to deepen trade ties with the region. "China's economic situation, coupled with the need for stable trade channels, presents an opportunity for Asean to gain traction on the COC. The regional structure right now offers a window for diplomacy," she said. In terms of broader engagements with Dialogue Partners, including the US, China, the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU), Nor Aishah noted that economic cooperation remains the cornerstone of Asean's external relations, though the focus may vary by partner. "The UK, for instance, is seeking to expand its free trade footprint in the region and has programmes like the Asean-UK Economic Integration Programme and STEM scholarships. With the EU, there's potential to advance a region-to-region FTA (free trade agreement)," she said. ALSO READ: Indonesian FM to attend Asean meetings in Kuala Lumpur Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Human Ecology Faculty senior lecturer Dr Fairuzzaman Shaharuddin also highlighted that security and economic issues are expected to dominate discussions at the 58th AMM, with Malaysia likely to emphasise strategic autonomy while strengthening cooperation in areas such as supply chains, sustainability, and regional security frameworks. Fairuzzaman said Asean's engagement with countries such as the US, China, UK, and EU will be "multi-dimensional" that reflect the shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and global economy. He said the US and China are expected to compete for influence, particularly in the South China Sea, while the UK and EU will likely promote trade, a rules-based international order, and sustainable development goals. "With growing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, for instance, the Iran-Israel conflict and Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs', Asean is likely to discuss supply chain resilience, the green transition, the digital economy and regional security frameworks. "Despite many interests, I believe maintaining strategic autonomy while deepening functional cooperation will be key for Asean to achieve centrality, (in line with) Malaysia's vision in Asean Vision 2045," he told Bernama. Addressing broader regional tensions, Fairuzzaman said Malaysia's longstanding military cooperation with the US and deep economic ties with China have drawn increasing interest from scholars and analysts, who view this approach as a form of 'strategic hedging', aimed at managing risks between the competing superpowers. This strategy, he said, aligns with Malaysia's non-aligned foreign policy, which prioritises economic cooperation, regional stability, and defence diplomacy to navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Malaysia will host the 58th AMM and related meetings from July 8 to 11, with a total of 24 meetings at the Asean Foreign Ministers' level to be convened, including a series of meetings with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. More than 35 foreign ministers and representatives from various international bodies are expected to attend the meetings. - Bernama
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
No more free rides: Experts demand corporate liability for deadly negligence
KUALA LUMPUR: Road safety experts are pushing for stringent measures to bring to book errant bus and lorry companies following the revelation that nearly two-thirds of transportation companies have failed safety audits. The experts again floated the idea of introducing a corporate liability law to hold heavy vehicle companies liable for crashes that occur due to negligence. They also want the list of rule breakers to be made public. Universiti Putra Malaysia Associate Professor Dr Law Teik Hua said despite having traffic laws that heavily fine offenders, errant operators were not perturbed. "A corporate liability law may be effective by making companies and their owners legally responsible for being reckless." This, he said, would hit them heavily in their pockets. Law was responding to Road Transport Department director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli's statement that 85 out of 133 lorry and bus operators the department recently inspected had failed safety audits. Law said companies must be held responsible unless they could prove they did everything possible to prevent accidents involving their vehicles. "This way, operators are more likely to follow the guidelines." He said if a company's drivers were found to be negligent, top executives and directors should be held responsible, fined or charged with a crime. He said sentences must be harsh enough to hurt companies to be a deterrent. This could include fines based on a company's income, licence suspensions or revocations and blacklisting from doing business with the government, he said. Transportation expert Wan Agyl Wan Hassan described the revelation that 85 companies failed safety audits as a "warning sign". "This includes buses with faulty brakes and overworked drivers. "If this is what's uncovered in a formal audit, how many more are slipping through the cracks?" Besides advocating for a corporate liability law, Wan Agyl said the government must begin using real-time data to monitor driver fatigue and speedsters. "Those who cut corners and put lives at risk should not be allowed to operate, let alone carry passengers or goods across the country." He wanted a public registry of errant operators due to the current lack of transparency on frequent offenders. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia road safety expert Associate Professor Dr Ng Choy Peng urged Putrajaya to consider enforcing set working hours for bus and lorry drivers to ensure they were fit to drive. "In Malaysia, the normal working hours for commercial vehicle drivers are 45 hours per week. "The current regulations specify that driving hours should not exceed eight hours a day, with a minimum 30-minute rest period after every four hours of driving. "These guidelines, established by the Road Transport Department, contribute to relatively pleasant working hours." She said the Road Transport Act 1987 did not specify maximum driving hours. "However, it allows for a maximum of eight hours of driving per day, which can be extended to 12 hours provided that a mandatory rest day follows. "I've seen some commercial vehicle drivers with short tempers. This, I believe, comes from driving long hours. Companies should provide them with sufficient break time."
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Expert: Fomema gaps let syndicates slip through
KUALA LUMPUR: A security expert has called on the government to tighten oversight of the Foreign Workers' Medical Examination Monitoring Agency (Fomema), citing weak inter-agency coordination and poor system checks that have left the agency vulnerable to exploitation by criminal syndicates. Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia's (UPNM) Faculty of Defence Studies and Management Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Aslam said the current Fomema system lacked a comprehensive verification process, making it susceptible to identity fraud and document forgery. "Although the system is centralised, the database and monitoring mechanisms are not thorough. This opens the door for syndicates to manipulate data and forge health certificates," he told the New Straits Times. He said Fomema currently processed medical certifications based solely on submitted documents, without verifying whether foreign workers had criminal records, previous deportations, or were using false identities. "This loophole has serious implications. Without accurate identity verification — via biometrics or inter-agency checks — syndicates will continue to exploit the system," he added. Mizan comments come in the wake of a recent crackdown by the Immigration Department on a forgery syndicate capable of producing up to 100 fake passports daily. The syndicate, which charged between RM100 and RM150 per fake passport, also manipulated the biodata of undocumented migrants to obtain Fomema health clearances. These forged medical documents were sold for between RM600 and RM1,000 each. He said this exposed clear weaknesses in the system, adding that syndicates were not just bypassing immigration rules, but also public health safeguards. "This situation could lead to the return of diseases like tuberculosis and hepatitis B, especially as infected individuals from countries with weaker healthcare systems go undetected," he said. "Malaysia has successfully controlled these diseases through vaccination and health campaigns. But without effective screening, they could resurface and strain our health infrastructure." Mizan said that while international passport systems were generally secure, Fomema documents lacked similar safeguards. "Unlike passports, Fomema certificates do not have tamper-proof features like QR codes or digital watermarks. This makes them easier to forge and abuse," he said. To address the issue, Mizan urged the government to introduce biometric verification for all foreign worker medical screenings, strengthen access control to Fomema's database, and integrate its system with immigration and law enforcement agencies. He also proposed placing certified integrity officers at key government departments to monitor compliance and prevent internal collusion. While acknowledging growing concerns over the agency's integrity, Mizan stressed that Fomema should not be dismantled but reformed. "We shouldn't abandon Fomema. We need to upgrade its technology, tighten control mechanisms, and improve coordination across agencies so it can fulfil its role in safeguarding national interests," he said.
