KOTA KINABALU: A Sabah Umno leader has called for an anti-bullying law following the death of a student from a religious school in Papar near here.
It is believed that 13-year-old victim Zara Qairina Mahathir was being bullied in school, but this has yet to be confirmed by the authorities.
Sabah Wanita Umno chief Datuk Noraini Idris said the government must consider the matter seriously and enact a law to stop bullying, which must be looked at as a crime.
“Do not wait for more to fall victim before acting," she said in a statement on Friday (July 25), adding that tragedies from bullying could be preventable with laws in place.
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She pointed out the number of bullying cases in schools and higher learning institutions, some of which had ended in trauma, injury and death.
“Without specific laws, bullying is seen as just a disciplinary issue, and not a crime,” Noraini said.
She said that although the case is still under investigation, Zara’s mother said her daughter had mentioned being bullied in school.
She said it is time for the government to look at this seriously and enact laws to punish those involved.
Noraini called for justice to be done, not only for Zara but for others who have fallen victim to bullies.
She said those who try to protect offenders should also be brought to book, whether they are teachers, hostel wardens or school authorities.
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An anti-bullying law would send the message that bullying and condoning this heinous act must stop, she added.
“We are just opening the door to more bullying... if we do not stop this once and for all,” she said.
A #JusticeForZara campaign on social media is calling for the truth to be unearthed and for those responsible to be punished.
