Latest news with #antibullying
Malay Mail
11-08-2025
- Malay Mail
Education Ministry orders safety audit of all schools after Zara Qairina dorm tragedy
KUALA LUMPUR — The Education Ministry today said it will carry out an immediate safety audit of all schools, including fully residential institutions and hostels, with findings to be presented to the ministry's top management within three months. In a press statement, the ministry said the audit will focus on compliance with safety-related SOPs. 'The existing complaint system, including the Anti-Bullying Portal, will be reformed,' it said. 'It will be simplified and will include an anonymous reporting option to protect the identities of complainants and witnesses,' it added. The move follows public outrage over the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was found unconscious after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school dormitory in Sabah. Her body was later exhumed for a post-mortem amid allegations of bullying, and thousands have rallied for a transparent investigation. The ministry said it will establish a safety reform committee comprising academics, non-governmental organisations, experts from various fields, police, and representatives from the Parent, Community and Private Sector Involvement network. It also reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on bullying, saying offenders may face suspension or expulsion, while administrators, teachers and education officers who fail to manage complaints according to guidelines will face disciplinary action. A new intervention programme called Bangkit Bermaruah will be introduced for students suspended from school, focusing on community service and character development. The ministry said psychosocial support will be strengthened at every level, with guidance and counselling teachers playing a key role in prevention and intervention. It urged all parties to work together to tackle bullying in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, adding that creating a safe school environment is a shared responsibility.
Malay Mail
19-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Asyraf Wajdi warns against normalising bullying as harmless prank in boarding schools, calls on students to break the cycle
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has today called for a concerted effort to advocate that bullying is a crime, in order to eradicate such culture. The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman also said that normalisation of bullying must end, and it should no longer be dismissed as harmless pranks in boarding schools. 'Firm and uncompromising punishment must be enforced regardless of who is involved, to send a clear message that there will be no more tolerance, compromise or downplaying of any form of bullying — whether physical, mental, verbal or cyber,' he wrote on Facebook. Asyraf Wajdi's remark came as he expressed sorrow over the death of Form One student Zara Qairina at a religious secondary school in Sabah, which has been linked to bullying. He called for a holistic and coordinated anti-bullying initiative involving teachers, wardens, administrators, parents and students. In addition, parents were reminded to regularly check on their children and report any signs of bullying to schools or hostels. He said he often reminds students during his surprise visits to Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) to be alert, support each other and speak up against bullying. 'No one should be afraid to report acts of bullying — regardless of who is involved — or fear being labelled with derogatory nicknames like 'Mat Pot', 'Jibam', or 'Poyo'. 'Every student has a duty to break the cycle of bullying,' he added. Asyraf also warned MRSM principals against any attempt to conceal bullying cases, warned that firm disciplinary action would be taken against any college administration attempting to downplay such incidents. He stressed there must be zero tolerance for bullying and no dismissal of it as mere peer 'banter'. Yesterday, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed the police are investigating the case involving a Form One student who allegedly fell from a third-floor dormitory at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustafa Limauan, Sabah.
