KUCHING: Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister wants firm action taken against the perpetrators of bullying to put a stop to it.
Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said bullying must never be tolerated; be it in school or outside the school compound. Thus, the authorities must investigate thoroughly.
“This is a serious problem and should not be taken lightly,” she stressed.
“Victims, especially children, must not be afraid to come forward and lodge a report, so that the relevant authorities can act promptly,” she said when contacted today.
Fatimah was commenting on an incident where a Form 1 male student in Kota Samarahan was beaten up by four male students from the same school.
Police had arrested four suspects after a 47-second video of the incident, which was believed to have happened at the Taman Desa Permai shop block; went viral on social media on Monday.
Kota Samarahan district police chief DSP Brodie Brangka said as soon as police received a report on the same day, further investigations were carried out. The case is now being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
Fatimah said since the case is currently under investigation, parents and school authorities must take necessary action to address not only the physical but also the emotional pain of the victim; that was caused by the incident.