PETALING JAYA: Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has warned that any of its education institutions, including Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM), found concealing bullying cases will face stern action.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Aug 19), he said it was a criminal offence to hide such cases under the pretext of protecting the institution’s image or reputation.
“If any management of a Mara education institution does this supposedly to protect their good name and reputation, strict and firm action will be taken,” he wrote.
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He revealed that in the early days of his appointment, he received numerous complaints that some Mara institutions were reluctant to highlight bullying issues for fear of jeopardising their performance awards.
“I have given clear instructions that if I receive such information, I will take stern action against the management of the institution, including MRSM,” he said.
Asyraf stressed that bullying is not confined to physical harm.
“Indeed, bullying is not only in physical form but also mental. At one MRSM, a female student was expelled for being involved in mental bullying,” he said.
He emphasised that while he is generally considerate when it comes to the welfare of teachers, students and staff, bullying remains a zero-tolerance issue.
“My principle is #YouTouchYouGo regardless of who it is. If involved in bullying, do not appeal to me when action is taken. Even if it is the child of an influential or well-known person, they know my firm stance,” he said.
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He added that efforts to break the cycle of bullying, which in some places seemed to have become a tradition, could only be effective with strict action and strong support from all parties.
On Aug 8, Asyraf said he was prepared to face legal action from parents of students expelled from MRSM for bullying, stressing that his priority was the safety of the majority of students rather than “a handful who act like gangsters".
In June, six students were suspended and later expelled following investigations into a bullying case at MRSM Besut that left a Form Two student with injuries to his abdomen, ribs and back. Police confirmed receiving a report on the incident.
