Letter to editor
THE tragic loss of a Kuen Cheng High School pupil has drawn widespread public attention.
Although the parents and school have officially denied any connection to the viral videos initially linked to the incident, the violent acts committed in those videos remain deeply alarming.
This is not merely a matter of bullying; it is a clear case of gang assault and violence in a school.
Given that Kuen Cheng has already reported the videos to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) the latter must act immediately by thoroughly investigating and tracing the origin of these videos to ensure the unidentified assailants are held accountable.
While the school has informed that “the girls who appeared in the videos are not pupils of Kuen Cheng High School, and that the location where the videos were taken is unknown and unrelated to the school”, it remains essential to determine whether those depicted are Malaysians or from another background to ensure justice is served.
Spate of violence alarming
In addition to PDRM, Beliawanis MCA urges the Education Ministry and other relevant authorities to take swift action in investigating these incidents, identify those involved and hold them accountable under the law.
Gather testimonies from pupils, staff and bystanders who may have witnessed the events to help identify the perpetrators.
Several videos circulating through social media platforms and WhatsApp chain messages show a group of pupils assaulting and kicking a young female peer.
Potential charges that should be considered include wrongful confinement, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and outrage of modesty, especially in light of the verbal coercion to the victim to remove her top in one of the videos.
Additionally, the use of a stunt gun by an underage male tasering the victim till she screamed in pain in one of the videos is deeply alarming.
He should be charged under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958. Meanwhile, his parents or guardians must be held accountable as to how a minor was able to access such a dangerous firearm.
This incident underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to student safety.
Proposed recommendations
These videos raise serious concerns about the level of supervision within the school environment. It is critical that a warden be appointed to ensure pupils’ safety, particularly in hostels.
If this is not feasible, measures such as installing surveillance cameras or providing pupils with wearable panic buttons could facilitate quicker responses to incidents of bullying.
Schools also need to implement anonymous reporting systems by allowing victims and witnesses to report bullying and violence without fear of retaliation.
Moreover, schools and the authorities must clearly communicate that acts of violence will lead to legal consequences, particularly where dangerous objects or harassment and assaults occur.
A strict zero-tolerance policy on weapons in schools should be introduced and enforced with clear repercussions for both pupils and parents.
Regular inspections or random checks could also be implemented to prevent dangerous items like tasers from entering school environments.
These measures, alongside the introduction of wardens and anonymous reporting, would create a safer and more vigilant school environment, thus reducing violence and ensuring that schools remain places of learning – not fear. – Oct 8, 2024
Ivone Low Yi Wen is Beliawanis MCA chairperson.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
