Ban All Forms Of Colonial Era Ragging And Bullying


From Kua Kia Soong
It is sickening to read about students and cadets in educational institutions or military academies being subject to ragging and bullying, often resulting in grievous injuries and even deaths.
The archaic and pernicious practice of ragging – often referred to as “fagging” in elite boarding schools, or simply as ritualistic hazing in military academies – persists today as a toxic relic of colonial-era power structures.
This practice can be traced to the cloistered halls of upper-class English boarding schools. It is a ritual of bullying and humiliation that has long been wielded as a tool for enforcing hierarchical dominance and conformist obedience.
The prevalence of such practices, even in post-colonial, democratic societies like Malaysia, is not merely an anachronism but a stark contradiction to the principles of egalitarianism and care that should underpin modern educational systems.
I remember how it was so prevalent in the sixties when we were in sixth form as well as in the universities.
Origins of ragging/bullying: an elite tradition of oppression
Ragging finds its roots in the so-called prestigious institutions of Victorian England – Eton, Harrow, and Winchester -where the upper classes refined a system of abuse disguised as character-building.
The concept of “fagging” emerged in these schools to establish a rigid social hierarchy among boys, where younger students were essentially forced into servitude by older ones.
It was framed as a means of instilling discipline and preparing young men for leadership roles. In reality, it was a mechanism to perpetuate elitism, dominance, and subservience -indoctrinating children into a culture of abuse under the guise of tradition.
When these elite practices were exported to colonial territories, they were often adopted by local institutions eager to emulate the supposed prestige of their British overlords.
In this way, ragging became an insidious form of cultural imperialism, embedding colonial power structures within the social fabric of post-colonial nations.
The toxic legacy in post-colonial societies
In countries like Malaysia and other former British colonies, ragging has been adopted and adapted, often becoming even more extreme and violent than its original form.
In military academies and universities, what began as a series of petty humiliations has escalated into physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. There is a perverse justification offered: that it fosters camaraderie, resilience, and esprit de corps. Yet the reality is far more disturbing.
The sheer brutality of these practices has led to multiple instances of severe injury, trauma, and even death. In Malaysia, there have been numerous cases of young cadets and students suffering injuries that have left them physically and emotionally scarred for life.
The veneer of tradition masks the fact that ragging is simply systematic bullying, an exercise in power and control that normalises the abuse of the vulnerable.
We have just seen yet another bullying case at the National Defence University (UPNM) where a 19-year-old cadet was allegedly stomped on by a senior, fracturing his spine and ribs.
Last month, a hot iron was allegedly pressed on the chest of another cadet, just months after the courts handed the death penalty to six former students over the killing of a fellow cadet at the institution.
There have been other cases such as that of J Soosaimanicckam, a 27-year-old navy cadet officer, who died at the KD Sultan Idris Lumut naval base on May 19, 2018.
Beyond universities, bullying is also on the rise in public schools. Nearly 5,000 cases of bullying were reported over the first 10 months of 2023, according to the data from the education ministry, a sharp rise from 3,887 cases reported in 2022.
The failure of institutional accountability
The persistence of ragging is compounded by the complicity of educational institutions, which often turn a blind eye to the abuse, framing it as a rite of passage.
Administrators and faculty, many of whom are former students of the same institutions, perpetuate a culture of silence. This lack of accountability only emboldens the perpetrators, creating an environment where victims feel powerless to speak out.
Military academies are notorious for their strict hierarchical structure, which leaves little room for dissent. The emphasis on blind obedience and unquestioning discipline suppresses the voices of those who are most affected.
The rhetoric of “toughening up” young recruits masks the reality that many leave these academies with lifelong trauma, not strengthened resolve. In this way, the institutions tasked with building national character are guilty of undermining respect, empathy, and human dignity.
It is both ironic and tragic that post-colonial nations like Malaysia, which fought for independence and the promise of a fair and just society, continue to perpetuate a colonial legacy that embodies the worst aspects of imperial rule.
Instead of reinforcing outdated and oppressive traditions, Malaysia should be leading the way in promoting caring, compassionate, and egalitarian values in its educational and military institutions.
A modern educational system should focus on mentorship, mutual respect, and leadership through empathy, rather than through intimidation and violence.
The true strength of a society lies not in its ability to produce individuals hardened by abuse but in its capacity to cultivate individuals who are resilient, confident, and empathetic because they have been nurtured, not beaten down.
Conclusion
It is time to consign ragging to the dustbin of history where it belongs. This practice, born of elitist arrogance and colonial condescension, has no place in the educational institutions of a modern, independent nation.
Malaysia must lead in creating an educational environment that promotes equality, dignity, and mutual respect.
By doing so, it can offer its youth something far more valuable than the scars of ritualistic abuse: the chance to learn and grow in an environment free from fear and filled with the promise of genuine support and solidarity. - FMT
Kua Kia Soong is an academic and former MP.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.


Artikel ini hanyalah simpanan cache dari url asal penulis yang berkebarangkalian sudah terlalu lama atau sudah dibuang :

http://malaysiansmustknowthetruth.blogspot.com/2024/11/ban-all-forms-of-colonial-era-ragging.html

Kempen Promosi dan Iklan
Kami memerlukan jasa baik anda untuk menyokong kempen pengiklanan dalam website kami. Serba sedikit anda telah membantu kami untuk mengekalkan servis percuma aggregating ini kepada semua.

Anda juga boleh memberikan sumbangan anda kepada kami dengan menghubungi kami di sini
5 Hobi Kreatif Yang Bikin Kamu Lebih Produktif Di Era Digital

5 Hobi Kreatif Yang Bikin Kamu Lebih Produktif Di Era Digital

papar berkaitan - pada 30/10/2024 - jumlah : 126 hits
BloggerBorneo com Di era digital yang serba cepat ini kegiatan yang dulunya hanya sekadar hobi kini bisa berkembang menjadi aktivitas produktif yang penuh manfaat Banyak dari kita yang ingin lebih produktif di tengah kesibukan namun kadang ...
Memanfaatkan Wa Blaster Pro Di Era Digital

Memanfaatkan Wa Blaster Pro Di Era Digital

papar berkaitan - pada 3/11/2024 - jumlah : 106 hits
BloggerBorneo com Bayangkan kamu bisa ngobrol bareng ratusan orang sekaligus dalam waktu singkat Keren kan Nah itu yang bisa kamu lakukan dengan WA Blaster Di era digital yang serba cepat ini WA Blaster bukan cuma alat komunikasi biasa tapi...
Gmv Max Tiktok Ads Manager Peluang Baru Untuk Bisnis Online Di Era Digital

Gmv Max Tiktok Ads Manager Peluang Baru Untuk Bisnis Online Di Era Digital

papar berkaitan - pada 3/11/2024 - jumlah : 97 hits
BloggerBorneo com Seiring perkembangan digital yang semakin pesat TikTok terus berinovasi dalam memperkuat layanan platform nya untuk mendukung pertumbuhan bisnis di seluruh dunia Salah satu langkah terbaru adalah hadirnya GMV MAX di TikTok...
Zahir Academic Partner Solusi Terbaik Untuk Mengembangkan Kompetensi Akuntansi Di Era Digital

Zahir Academic Partner Solusi Terbaik Untuk Mengembangkan Kompetensi Akuntansi Di Era Digital

papar berkaitan - pada 5/11/2024 - jumlah : 77 hits
BloggerBorneo com Dalam era digital yang semakin berkembang pesat kemampuan mengelola keuangan dan akuntansi menjadi skill yang sangat dibutuhkan baik di dunia bisnis maupun di bidang pendidikan Untuk mendukung proses pembelajaran akuntansi...
Prevent Toxic Culture Of Criminal Bullying From Taking Hold In Varsities

Prevent Toxic Culture Of Criminal Bullying From Taking Hold In Varsities

papar berkaitan - pada 15/11/2024 - jumlah : 70 hits
From Tajuddin AbdullahReflecting on my initiation aka ragging into campus life in Shah Alam at the Institut Teknologi Mara in 1974 I recall an experience that created lasting friendships with my seniors mutual respect and a sense of love an...
Student Sustains Rib Fractures In Latest Upnm Bullying Incident

Student Sustains Rib Fractures In Latest Upnm Bullying Incident

papar berkaitan - pada 11/11/2024 - jumlah : 129 hits
The Royal Malaysia Police in an official statement yesterday confirmed yet another bullying case in the Malaysia National Defense University that was reported on 8 November According to the statement Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Rusdi Mo...
Charge Culprits In Upnm Bullying Case Says Activist

Charge Culprits In Upnm Bullying Case Says Activist

papar berkaitan - pada 1/11/2024 - jumlah : 179 hits
A senior cadet at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia was alleged to have pressed a hot iron against the chest of a junior cadet PETALING JAYA An activist has called for legal action to be taken against those responsible following alleg...
Bullying Asyraf Wajdi Issues Stern Warning You Touch You Go

Bullying Asyraf Wajdi Issues Stern Warning You Touch You Go

papar berkaitan - pada 1/11/2024 - jumlah : 101 hits
Majlis Amanah Rakyat chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has expressed disappointment over allegations of abuse among students at a public higher education institution NSTP NIK ABDULLAH NIK OMARKUALA LUMPUR Majlis Amanah Rakyat chairman D...
Sarawak Bn Played A Role In Bullying The People Too Says Chong

Sarawak Bn Played A Role In Bullying The People Too Says Chong

papar berkaitan - pada 1/11/2024 - jumlah : 212 hits
The Sarawak DAP chief claims Sarawakians were bullied not only by the federal government but also the BN led state governments in the 1980s Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen has claimed the state Barisan Nasional played a role in bullyi...
Natural Gas Fuel Not A Hazard

Saka Bapak Kau

How Car Centric Planning Is Killing Malaysians

Masjid Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah

Top Picks Best Trucks For Towing In 2025

Beli Rumah Lebih Jimat Dengan Kempen Hartanah Bumiputera Matrix

15 Playful Midcentury Kids Room Ideas For A Retro Vibe

Creating A Winning Pitch Deck


echo '';
Info Dan Sinopsis Drama Berepisod Dhia Kasyrani Slot Akasia TV3

Biodata Terkini Reshmonu Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11 Penyanyi Lagu Hey Waley

Gegar Vaganza 2024 GV 11 Hadiah Tiket Peserta Juri Format Pemarkahan Dan Segala Info Tonton Live Di Astro Ria Dan Sooka

6 Janji Donald Trump Kalau Dia Naik Jadi Presiden Semula

Biodata Terkini Zehra Zambri Peserta Gegar Vaganza 2024 Musim 11 GV11 Penyanyi Lagu Semalakama


Kawan Kawan Cik B Sebaya Dato Seri Vida

Kadet Upnm Didakwa Sebabkan Cedera Pada Junior

Aliff Aziz Ajak Berselawat 1 000 Kali Sehari Tak Perlu Tunggu Jadi Baik Sebarkan Kebaikan

Saya Takkan Tinggalkan Anak Dengan Pembantu Rumah Saya Tak Percaya Mereka Walau Baik Macam Mana Anzalna Nasir

Khutbah Jumat 6 Adab Menghadiri Shalat Jumat

Kisah Adv 160 Pengajaran Dari Bateri Lemah