COMMENT | PM, address bullying issues with wisdom, transparency

COMMENT | The tragedy that befell the late Zara Qairina Mahathir has reopened deep wounds felt by many Malaysians.

Bullying is no longer merely a disciplinary problem in schools; it has become a malignant culture within our society. Despite numerous initiatives being announced, the much-needed reforms have failed to be effectively implemented, even within educational institutions.

From the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2022, 8.6 percent of adolescents reported having been bullied. These figures underscore the urgency for a coordinated national strategy to combat bullying in all its forms and to promote safe environments in schools and workplaces alike.

As an NGO actively engaging with the community, Empati has reached out to many members of society, particularly individuals struggling with mental health issues.

Many of them began their traumatic journey after being bullied from a young age. Some suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, prolonged trauma, and in some cases, have attempted to end their own lives.

Empati believes bullying is not just a matter of discipline; it is a serious mental health issue. Every insult, threat, and act of physical intimidation builds an emotional burden that eventually becomes a cancer to the soul.

Bullying does not only occur in schools but also extends into adulthood, including in the workplace. Empati stresses that the Malaysian Madani Government must stop underestimating the seriousness of bullying at the school level and take the following decisive actions:

1. Establish a victim-friendly reporting system that is fast, transparent, and free from the risk of retaliation.

2. Provide trained counsellors capable of identifying dominant and aggressive traits among students to curb and eradicate the culture of bullying entirely.

3. Eliminate the stigma around reporting any wrongdoing, including bullying, among school students to create a safe school environment.

Empati is also deeply concerned about the government’s failure to manage the narrative surrounding the Zara case on social media.

This has led to widespread speculation and the dissemination of false information, impacting various segments of society, including the victim’s family.

We urge the government to lead with transparent and consistent public statements as proof of a high level of commitment, combined with empathy towards this heartbreaking case.

We believe the honourable prime minister of Malaysia Madani has the wisdom and courage to shift public narratives from being reactive to preventive.

Zara may be gone, but every child after this is a “Zara” who can still be saved.

EMPATI is a youth group that believes in second chances for at-risk youth and supports community recovery.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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