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HEATED exchanges marked the Dewan Rakyat sitting today as Members of Parliament debated the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), with MUDA’s Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman accusing authorities of acting only after public outcry in cases of school bullying and death, while opposition leader Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang sparked uproar with a politically charged pantun.
Syed Saddiq (MUDA–Muar) expressed frustration over the perceived delay in investigating the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, who was found unconscious at SMKA Tun Datuk Mustapha in Papar, Sabah, on 16 July.
“Only after the video went viral, after protests, did they have the courage to change the principal, the wardens, the investigating officer, and conduct a post-mortem,” he said.
He questioned why action took “two to three weeks” when concerns were raised immediately.
“Imagine parents wanting to send their children to boarding schools. They fear bullying. Many other cases don’t receive media attention. What happens to those victims?” he asked.
He criticised what he described as a reactive culture of governance: “We only act after major media coverage, a death, or massive protests. Many bullying victims suffer in silence; their dignity eroded for decades.”
He cited a “systemic pattern” of bullying involving neglectful wardens, principals who cover up to protect reputations, and peers who justify abuse as a rite of passage.
According to Syed Saddiq, school-based bullying cases have surged 20-fold between 2021 and 2024, with violent bullying increasing 77-fold from 3,000 cases in 2015 to 5,300 cases in 2023.
He warned the erosion of trust in national education institutions could drive more families toward private and international schools.
“A decade ago, only the top 20 percent (T20) sent their children to private schools. Today, even middle-income earners earning RM3,000 to RM3,500 are spending a quarter of their salary for it,” he said.
Meanwhile, the debate descended into chaos when Hadi Awang (PN–Marang) delivered a pantun that insinuated Kuala Lumpur’s issues stemmed from being governed by DAP and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
His remarks prompted immediate protest from RSN Rayer (PH–Jelutong) and Chong Zhemin (PH–Kampar), who cited Standing Order 36(1), arguing that Hadi’s comments strayed from the RMK13 agenda.
Rayer told the House, “I came to listen to YB Marang as a respected religious teacher and PAS leader. But why would he say Kuala Lumpur has problems just because it is led by DAP, BN and PH?”
The House devolved into several minutes of shouting between government and opposition MPs. Deputy Speaker Suhaizan Kaiat attempted to restore order before Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul returned to the chamber and issued a stern rebuke.
“There are school children present. I heard insults and indecent language from the chamber. That is unacceptable,” he said.
“If we want our country to progress, our leaders must act like leaders. With respect to senior MPs from both sides – all of you have been in government. Please behave.”
He warned Datuk Awang Hashim (PN–Pendang) and Rayer not to provoke each other further, adding, “What is this? What kind of MPs are you? You’re embarrassing yourselves. You're adults, not children – stop fighting.”
He concluded with a firm directive: “No one else is to stand up. Enough.”
Young Syefura Othman (PH–Bentong) was then invited to resume the RMK13 debate. - August 13, 2025
