PUTRAJAYA: Ministries and government agencies handling educational institutions will come together at a retreat soon to coordinate their efforts to curb anti-bullying in institutions under their purview.
Government spokesperson and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said this on Friday (Aug 22) during his weekly post-Cabinet briefing.
He said that the retreat was decided by the Cabinet to address the people’s complaints on anti-bullying in educational institutions.
Fahmi was asked what the government had strategised to quell the calls for the resignation of the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, over bullying cases in schools.
“Bullying takes place not only in boarding schools but also other schools. What has been raised in the Cabinet meeting today was a coordinated action between the Education Ministry, Defence Ministry, Mara and other ministries and agencies which handle educational institutions to curb bullying.
“This is because bullying has been defined under the Section 507 of the Penal Code as a crime.
“The retreat, which will be held this year to enable these ministries and agencies to come to an understanding to address bullying wholly.
“Bullying cases are currently being handled in different ways in different educational institutions.
“The retreat will coordinate these efforts as the charging of perpetrators and safety of students,” said Fahmi.
On Thursday, a coalition of student activists staged a protest outside the Education Ministry on Thursday (Aug 21), demanding Fadhlina respond to their memorandum within 24 hours or step down.
The demonstration, organised by Malaysian Muslim Students Coalition (Gamis) and Malaysian People's Advocacy Coalition (Haram), was joined by groups including Universiti Malaya Association of New Youth, Demokrat Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and United Muslim Malaysia.
They submitted a memorandum which laid out a series of urgent demands for the ministry to act on within 30 days, with bullying and student safety at the centre of their call.
The issue of bullying in schools had gained traction after the death of 13 year old Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, fell to her death in Sabah on July 16.
She was allegedly bullied by her peers at a boarding school.
