KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir recommended the education ecosystem be re-examined to find an approach to deal with bullying cases, linked to intakes at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) Military Training Academy (ALK).
He said the case of a first-year student, believed to have suffered spinal and rib fractures after being stomped on by a senior, involved recruitment under the ALK.
“I have discussed this with the defence minister, as the minister responsible over the matter in ALK, and what steps (the Defence Ministry) can take with the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) to ensure this incident does not recur.
“We must be firm and actions must be taken, including legal action against the perpetrators,” he said when met by reporters at the launch of Tun Abdul Razak’s book Imagining Malaysia’s Future Through His Lenses here today.
He said the MOHE welcomes any form of suggestion and cooperation to ensure the safety of students, including those under ALK’s purview.
“I can’t just take a hands-off approach because they are part of the student body, but its system is quite different,” he said.
Zambry said he has instructed all university vice-chancellors to ensure bullying cases are closely monitored and acted upon immediately against perpetrators.
“I want to emphasise that the government and the MOHE in particular will not tolerate bullying in any institution of higher learning.
“I have ordered (action against what) happened in ALK, even though it is not under the supervision of UPNM, and we do not want to take the approach of saying this is not within our jurisdiction. The most important thing is that we need to be assertive in matters like bullying,” he said.
Asked about Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who reportedly submitted an urgent motion to Parliament yesterday for a comprehensive solution to the bullying issue that has shocked the country, Zambry said he would leave it to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
“I leave it to the discretion of the Dewan Rakyat speaker to decide. I do not want to interfere as it has been proposed to the speaker, so let him decide,” he said.
On Sunday, police confirmed they are investigating the stomping incident.
Last month, in a similar incident at the same university, an ALK UPNM cadet officer was brought before the Sessions Court on charges of injuring his junior using a steam iron.
— Bernama
