Latest news with #Anti-BullyingAct
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Treat bullying as a crime, not matter of discipline. Ex-Senator says time for Anti-Bullying Act
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 27, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Sabah Umno Wanita Chief Datuk Noraini Idris Kota Kinabalu: Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted with immediate action to tackle bullying cases in the country, said Sabah Umno Wanita Chief Datuk Noraini Idris. This follows the recent tragedy of a 13-year-old schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir, who is believed to have been a victim of bullying. She was found unconscious in the drain of her Sekolah Menengah Agama Tun Mustapha in Kinarut at 3am Wednesday, a week ago and died in hospital the next day. Police have yet to comment despite more than a week later. Noraini said such Act must be enacted without delay so that the bully victims are protected and those responsible can be prosecuted, accordingly. 'The death of young Zara is a painful tragedy especially if it is true that she was a victim of bullying at her school. She noted although Zara's mum preferred to be silent, postings on social media suggest Zara had complained to her about being bullied at school. 'Cases like Zara's — and many others that have gone viral previously, whether in schools or residential colleges — show that bullying can lead to trauma, emotional distress, serious injury, and even death 'That is why the Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted. Let's not wait until another student loses their life,' she said. The former Senator said without a specific law, many bullying incidents would be treated merely as disciplinary issues and not crimes. 'By having such an Act in place, any party involved — including schools, hostels, or educational institutions — would be legally accountable if they are negligent in handling or protecting victims of bullying, or if they attempt to cover up bullying incidents that happen under their watch. 'This law would send a clear message that bullying is not a minor offence. It is a serious crime that will not be tolerated anywhere. It would also help to dismantle the culture of silent bullying that has long been normalised in many institutions,' she said. In Zara's case, Noraini said since the incident occurred within the school premises, the school must take full responsibility and not attempt to conceal the facts. 'The public, especially the victim's family, deserves to know the truth behind this tragedy. Imagine a situation where schools are no longer seen as safe spaces for parents to send their children, due to the failure of responsible parties to address such issues. 'Hence, schools must take greater responsibility in fulfilling the trust given to them by parents and the government to protect our children. 'This requires accountability from all especially the teachers and dormitory wardens to prevent and monitor such incidents from happening to any student under their care,' she said. Noraini said public do not need more statements of regret. 'What we need is immediate action through the enactment of an Anti-Bullying Act. 'A reporting system must be independent and protected. Perpetrators must be dealt with fairly but firmly. 'The loss of a child is not a wound that heals in a day or two. It is a wound that demands the entire system to carry its weight together. 'Zara is gone, but let her death mark the final line of our negligence. If we still choose to delay this law, then we are opening the door to the next tragedy. And this time, we cannot say we didn't know,' she said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Borneo Post
MOE pledges appropriate action on death of Sabah student
Fadhlina KOTA KINABALU (July 25): The Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) has assured that appropriate action will be taken based on the results of the police investigation into the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, a form one student in Papar, Sabah. At the same time, its Minister Fadhlina Sidek advised all parties not to make any speculations regarding the case which is still under police investigation. 'Give space to the police to carry out their duties professionally, transparently, comprehensively and with integrity. No one will be protected and will not escape legal action,' she said in a Facebook post. She said MOE through the Sabah State Education Department (JPN) has always given full cooperation to the investigation process, besides being committed to ensure the well-being of families, students, teachers and school staff involved. 'This is done through the provision of immediate assistance including psychosocial support in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). My condolences to all family members. May you be given patience and fortitude to face this difficult test,' she said. Zara Qairina, 13, reportedly died after she was believed to have fallen from the third floor of a dormitory building in the early morning of July 17. Noraidah Lamat, a teacher and mother of Zara, has called for a 'transparent, fair and just investigation' into her daughter's death, suspected to be linked to bullying at the school. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has expressed deep concern over the recent spate of bullying cases reported in schools across the country, calling it a ''systemic crisis of child safety' that requires immediate intervention nationwide. Its Children's Commissioner, Dr Farah Nini Dusuki, emphasises that school must be the safest place for every child. But recent cases paint a worrying picture of fear, isolation, and violence. These disturbing incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and sustained action to ensure that schools remain safe and nurturing environments for all children. Umno Sabah Wanita chief Datuk Noraini Idris is urging for the immediate enactment of the Anti-Bullying Act. 'Do not wait for another student's life to be lost. The Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted without delay,' she said on Friday. Police have not updated on the progress of the investigation into the case.
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Anti-Bullying Act needed urgently to prevent another tragedy
Noraini KOTA KINABALU (July 25): Umno Sabah Wanita chief Datuk Noraini Idris is urging for the immediate enactment of the Anti-Bullying Act. 'Do not wait for another student's life to be lost. The Anti-Bullying Act must be enacted without delay,' she said in a statement. The former senator said that the death of young Zara Qairina Mahathir is not merely a sad story. 'It is a heartbreaking tragedy, especially if it is proven true that Zara was a victim of bullying at her school. Although the matter is still under investigation by the authorities, according to the account of the victim's mother, the child had complained to her that she was being bullied at school,' she claimed. She alleged that cases like Zara's — and many others that have gone viral previously, whether at schools or residential higher learning institutions — show that bullying can lead to trauma, emotional distress, serious injury, and even death. 'Without specific legislation, many bullying cases are treated merely as 'disciplinary misconduct', rather than a criminal offence. It is time for the Anti-Bullying Act to be expedited, as it touches on student safety, the responsibility of educational institutions, and justice for victims,' she said. She believes that with the existence of an Anti-Bullying Act, any party involved — including schools, hostels, or educational institutions — would be held legally accountable if they were negligent in addressing or protecting victims of bullying, or in attempting to conceal bullying incidents under their supervision. 'This Act would send a clear message that bullying is not a trivial matter, but a serious offence that will not be compromised under any circumstances. It would also help reduce the culture of silent bullying, which has long been normalised in many institutions,' she stressed. In the case of Zara, since the incident occurred within school grounds, the school must assume full responsibility and not attempt to conceal the facts, she said. 'Society, especially the victim's family, deserves to know the truth behind this tragedy.' 'Imagine if schools were no longer seen as safe places for parents to send their children to learn, due to the failure of those involved in addressing such issues. This requires the accountability of all parties — especially teachers and hostel wardens — to prevent and monitor such incidents from happening to any student under their care. Schools must take greater responsibility in fulfilling the trust placed in them by parents and the government to protect students,' she added. She said that what is needed is swift action through the enactment of the Anti-Bullying Act. 'The complaint system must be independent and protected. Perpetrators must be dealt with fairly and firmly. The loss of a child is not a wound that heals in a day or two. It is a wound that calls for the entire system to bear its weight together. Zara is gone, but let her death be the final limit to our negligence. If we still choose to delay this legislation, then we are leaving the door open to the next tragedy. And this time, we cannot say we didn't know,' she said.
GMA Network
06-07-2025
- GMA Network
Two Grade 9 students in custody after caught bullying fellow student in viral video
Two Grade 9 students of the Basilan National High School are now in the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, after they were caught beating up a fellow student in a viral video. Video footage circulating online shows the two ninth-grade students punching, elbowing, and kicking a 15-year-old tenth-grade student inside school premises in Isabela City, Basilan on June 25, 2025. The incident was reported to the Isabela City Police Station on June 30, 2025. According to Police Regional Office 9 Police Major Shellamie Chang, the two Grade 9 students were reportedly forcing the victim to do something against his will. 'Pinipilit siyang manigarilyo or something, basta may pinapagawa sa kaniya na ayaw niyang gawin,' she said in a report by Marisol Abdurahman on GMA's '24 Oras Weekend' on Sunday. (He was being forced to smoke or something, he was being forced to do something that he did not want to do.) Chang said the two students will face charges of violating the Anti-Bullying Act, but will be handled in accordance with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act considering that they are still minors, and will be considered as children in conflict with the law. For his part, Basilan National High School principal Arnel Hajan said the incident may have just been for laughs: 'Katuwaan, kursonadahan, trip? Parang ganoon. (For fun, he was targeted, or a trip? Seems like it.)' Hajan said the victim, who experienced dizziness and vomiting, was initially brought to a local hospital to be treated, before being transferred to a facility in Zamboanga City. 'Pinadala po natin sa local hospital then after, trinansfer namin sa Zamboanga City para mabigyan ng magandang gamot at medical attention,' he said in the same report. (We brought him to a local hospital then after, he was transferred to Zamboanga City to be given good medicine and medical attention.) Authorities said they have since heightened police visibility both inside and outside the campus, and have activated the CCTVs in the area. GMA Integrated News is still trying to reach out to the Department of Education (DepEd) and the two ninth-grade students regarding the matter. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News
