Act Against Enablers Of Bullying In Schools Syed Saddiq

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PARLIAMENT | Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) urged the government to enforce stricter action against “enablers” of bullying in schools, citing similar liabilities under current laws for negligent parents.
Debating the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat today, Syed Saddiq, who graduated from the Royal Military College, described bullying as a systemic issue worsened by enablers, including school authorities.
“Bullying is systemic - it involves negligent wardens, principals, and schoolmates who normalise the culture of bullying.
“Look at what happens at home - if parents neglect their responsibilities to the point where children are injured, action can be taken (against the parents).
“So why can’t the same action be taken against those in charge at schools?” said the former Muda president.
ADSReferencing the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, Syed Saddiq argued that the same level of responsibility placed on parents must also be placed on school authorities.
“Wardens and principals cannot ‘wash their hands’ in cases where there has been a death in school.
“My principle is the same: we must eradicate bullying from the top down by dismantling all the support systems that enable bullies,” he stressed.
Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) then stood up to interject, suggesting that the government review the role of boarding school dormitory wardens, currently appointed among teachers who are already burdened with other tasks.
Zara, a student at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha, was found unconscious in a drain below her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and died the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu.
Her family believes bullying may have played a role. Her death has sparked various conspiracies, including a purported cover-up.
Further, Syed Saddiq pointed out that certain actions, including exhuming her remains for a post-mortem, were only taken after Zara’s death prompted public outrage and sympathy on social media.
Earlier today, the Education Ministry confirmed that the principal, senior assistant of student affairs, and all wardens at Zara’s school have been transferred out temporarily.
The ministry said the transferred staff will be placed in the Sabah Education Department until police investigations into the teen’s death have concluded.
This is pursuant to a special task force from Bukit Aman taking over investigations. - Mkini

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