Don't Hide Bullying Cases for School Image, Urges Malaysian PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the Malaysian government's zero-tolerance stance on school bullying, directly addressing school administrators and warning them against concealing incidents solely to preserve institutional image. He stated that hiding bullying cases only allows the problem to fester, ultimately harming the victims.

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There is no point when one case becomes the focus of the entire country, the school fails. I don't see it that way.

Anwar emphasized that principals and headmasters who report bullying incidents deserve respect, as the primary focus must be on ensuring students' safety and welfare, not on safeguarding the school's reputation or avoiding negative perceptions. He argued that a single high-profile case does not necessarily signify a school's failure.

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If the headmaster chooses to expose (the case), I respect him. Don't just think about protecting the school's image, maintaining performance, or avoiding negative views.

"Are we willing to bear that sin just because we want to cover up a case?" he questioned during a gathering with education professionals. The Prime Minister acknowledged that while the situation might appear to be calming, bullying, whether minor or major, continues to occur and requires immediate intervention before it becomes ingrained in the school culture and escalates to violence.

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Are we willing to bear that sin just because we want to cover up a case?

Furthermore, Anwar urged schools to pay attention to fundamental issues affecting student well-being, such as the condition of restrooms and teacher punctuality. He shared that direct feedback from students during his visits to mosques often provides a more candid view of school conditions compared to official reports. He encouraged all school leaders to prioritize student welfare and address issues promptly, regardless of their perceived magnitude.

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Whether it's small or big, it cannot be. Cruelty starts there. Violent, hasty, and cruel actions start from things like this. That's why at the earliest stage, it must be corrected.