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KEADILAN youth has expressed deep concern over the latest bullying incident at the National Defence University’s (UPNM) military training academy where a 19-year-old UPNM cadet, is said to have suffered cracks on his ribs and spine after being stomped on by a senior.
A day before the incident, another academy cadet allegedly burned another student with a hot iron.
"We have not forgotten the heartbreaking tragedy involving the late Zulfarhan Osman, a Cadet Officer with UPNM who was tortured and bullied.
"He died on June 1, 2017, and it was found that most of his body parts had been repeatedly pressed with a hot steam iron.
"PKR youth is shocked by these recent incidents and is deeply concerned that bullying may become a culture," said Keadilan Youth Central Leadership Council member, Nadia Nazri.
She stressed that every student has the right to enjoy a safe and secure learning environment without being hounded by fear or pressure.
"This culture of bullying is unacceptable and cannot be normalised and allowed to spread among our students.
"We would like to repeat the call by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar made in 2017 to urgently enact an Anti-Bullying Act in Malaysia.
"The seriousness of the government to implement this law will prove its commitment in dealing with the issue of bullying and ensure that no more victims are facing this bitter experience," she said.
Nadia said PKR youth believe that efforts to eradicate the culture of bullying require a comprehensive approach.
By enacting such an act, she said the government would be able to provide clear guidelines for all educational institutions and ensure it has preventive procedures and actions in dealing with bullying cases.
The act would also be able to outline a fair and firm punishment for perpetrators and also protect whistleblowers by assuring those who come forward to report such incidents that they will not face the risk of retaliation or threats, she added. - November 12, 2024