2 days ago
Johor Regent orders anti-bullying campaign in the state
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Tunku Ismail Ibrahim and his son, Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail, paid a visit to a 10-year-old nasal cancer patient who had been bullied at two different schools.
JOHOR BAHRU - The Regent of Johor visited a 10-year-old nasal cancer patient who had been bullied at two different schools – and immediately decreed an 'all-out anti-bullying' campaign in the southern Malaysian state.
In a Facebook post on Aug 19 after visiting the boy, Tunku Ismail Ibrahim ordered the authorities to take firm action to put an end to bullying, especially in schools.
'Bullying must be curbed, and stricter enforcement measures must be implemented immediately to ensure that educational institutions remain safe for children,' he said in the post.
Tunku Ismail was accompanied to the hospital in Larkin by his son, Raja Muda Johor Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail as well as Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi and state police chief Commissioner Ab Rahaman Arsad.
The boy is said to have been bullied at both his religious school and primary school in the district of Skudai.
'He cries in his sleep because of nightmares after being physically assaulted. The first incident was at his religious school in February this year, while the second was at his school earlier this month involving two different boys,' his mother said.
She said her son had been looking forward to the school term since late 2024 as he had missed a large part of his education due to his nasal cancer.
Since 2022, he has been frequently admitted to and discharged from hospitals for treatment and surgery.
'The doctors told us recently that he is recovering from cancer and can return to school.
'He was looking forward to it and even wanted to play football at school, as he is a big Liverpool fan. But when the bullying started, everything changed,' she said.
Asked if she would consider transferring him to another school, she said there was no reason for the boy to move.
'Why should my son change schools? He is the victim. He is looking forward to returning to school, but he still fears facing the two bullies,' she said.
The child is now undergoing counselling sessions under the state Welfare Department.
Meanwhile, Datuk Onn Hafiz said the state government would adopt a zero-tolerance stance against bullying, in line with the Regent's directive.
The state government will heed his command, he said.
He added that all relevant agencies, including the police, schools under the Education Ministry and religious schools, would be roped in.
'Let this be a stern warning to all bullies – we will not tolerate such behaviour. Bullying has no place in our society,' he said.
Comm Ab Rahaman, meanwhile, said police have recorded statements from seven people, including the medical officer treating the boy, his family members and witnesses.
'The victim is still warded and under medical observation, so the hospital has not yet issued a complete report,' he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
