MRSM bullying case: Discipline committee recommends expulsion – Asyraf

Summary

• Mara chairperson says a disciplinary committee recommends expulsion for those involved in a bullying case at Seberang Perai Selatan MRSM in Nibong Tebal, Penang.

• The committee finds that seven students were involved in the case.

The disciplinary committee of a Mara Science Junior College (MRSM) in Penang has recommended that perpetrators in a recent bullying case be expelled, said Mara chairperson Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

“The disciplinary committee established that seven students were involved (in the bullying).

“Two were physically involved while five others collaborated. It is recommended that all be removed from MRSM,” he said on Facebook today.

Yesterday, police confirmed that a viral video involving a student being bullied by his friends took place at the Seberang Perai Selatan MRSM in Nibong Tebal.

The one-minute and 32-second video footage shows a group of male students smashing the head and body of another student lying on the bed.

They were also seen whipping the victim with a belt.

Seberang Perai Selatan district deputy police chief Norazmi Abd Ghapar said the incident had occurred in the middle of last year.

He added that police had conducted a preliminary investigation into the viral video, and so far, they have identified seven students, including the victim, who were involved in the incident.

"The incident is believed to have occurred when they started teasing and mocking each other, but so far, there has been no police report about the incident until it went viral today (yesterday)," Norazmi said.

In a separate report today, Norazmi said the police have recorded statements of five 15-year-old students from the MRSM to facilitate investigations.

“According to our investigation, seven Form Three students were involved in the incident, including the victim and the person who recorded the video.

“Five students have provided their statements so far, and the remaining two will be questioned soon. We aim to complete the investigation and submit the case file within two to three days,” he told Bernama.

Warden appointments

Asyraf also said Mara's management has been instructed to look into a suggestion that retired army and police personnel be appointed as wardens at MRSM institutes nationwide.

Noting that the matter was discussed during a meeting with Mara director-general Zulfikri Osman yesterday, Asyraf said the wardens could be appointed on a full-time contract basis after going through interviews and assessments.

"(The candidates) must have the potential to instil discipline among boarding school students while more comprehensively monitoring students' personal and character development," Asyraf said in the comment section of his Facebook post.

‘No compromise’

Asyraf earlier stressed that Mara does not compromise on any act or culture of bullying - whether physical or mental - in any educational institution.

He also often reminds all students of the “you touch, you go” principle.

"Mara is a field for us to produce leaders. How can we give birth to leaders who are shallow in their intellect and polluted by their manners and moral behaviour?” he had asked on X.

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