PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (Oct 17) urged schools and parents to fully cooperate in addressing bullying in educational institutions and not to protect perpetrators to preserve the school's image.
He stated that some school administrators' attempts to cover up bullying cases, considering them minor or not serious, will only exacerbate the problem in the future.
"A reminder to schools: do not protect, even if the bullying case seems minor. It is still a crime... not everything can be considered a minor offence. For teachers, who may still adhere to old educational approaches, we were educated in that system.
"Do not resort to hitting or striking a student's head, causing injury. However, it is acceptable for teachers to reprimand, advise, or take mild action," he said to the media after performing Friday prayers at Surau Jannatul Firdaus PPAM Seruling, Presint 5 Friday.
Anwar also said that human rights or liberal groups may take an extreme view by disallowing any action by teachers. However, when disciplinary issues arise, some flexibility is needed but must be governed by strict conditions.
Earlier, the Prime Minister performed Friday prayers with about 500 congregants after chairing a Cabinet meeting.
His arrival, dressed in a light blue baju Melayu and samping with a songkok, was warmly welcomed by the mosque management, congregants, and school students.
The Friday prayers were led by Imam Ustaz Ahmad Jalaluddin Al-Islami Mohshin, and Anwar also listened to a sermon titled "Mosques: The Core of Community Unity". - Bernama
