Reports by FARIK ZOLKEPLI, IMRAN HILMY, MARTIN CARVALHO, RAHIMY RAHIM, VENESA DEVI, SANDHYA MENON, AHMAD SYARAFI ADLI AZAMI and JUNAID IBRAHIM
KUALA LUMPUR: Those who encounter bullying in schools should come forward as soon as possible, says Comm Datuk Ramli Din.
The Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director said it was important to report such cases.
“The number one objective is to prevent any more harm from befalling the victim,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Comm Ramli added that bullying cases could be reported to the police officers assigned to the school, better known as school liaison officers.
“We have placed liaison officers at schools nationwide. If there is any trouble, including cases of bullying, such officers can assist.
“The other option is to report bullying cases at the nearest police station,” he added.
Comm Ramli said every segment of society should also play its part.
“We are aware that bullying still occurs in schools. It is up to everyone to prevent other cases from occurring in the future,” he noted.
He said his department had conducted various programmes, led by the school liaison officers, in schools to create more awareness in its efforts to curb bullying.
It was reported that 10 students were detained recently to assist investigations into a bullying incident at a boarding school in Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid had said that six students involved in the case had been suspended for two weeks with immediate effect, and expulsion had also been proposed.
Mahdzir said the hostel’s disciplinary committee had also called up the 10 students involved.
“According to the report that was prepared, six students hit the victim while four others were found to have conspired with and provoked (the bullies). The students involved ranged from Form One to Form Three,” he said.
This came after he said Majlis Amanah Rakyat would conduct a detailed probe into a viral video of the incident, where a student was seen being punched by his peers.
Penang Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Asst Comm Rahimi Ra’ais reminded teachers to immediately inform liaison police officers assigned to their schools if they encounter such cases.
“If they find or suspect that students are involved in bullying or are victims, they must tell us,” he urged.He said that so far, Penang police had not received any reports on bullying but stressed that action would be taken if such incidents happen in schools.