By Yussof J. Imbang
TONGOD: A more severe punishment, such as whipping, ought to be enforced on student bullies, particularly when lives are at stake.
The suggestion was put forward by Kuamut State Assemblyman (ADUN), Datuk Masiung Banah, as the existing legislation fails to deter bullies due to the absence of a specific law addressing bullying offenses.
“In addition to death, serious crimes, including severe injuries to the victim, should be included in the proposal of the act.
“The punishment of whipping is more priceless to juvenile criminals as justice to the families of the victims who have lost their lives.
The act is considered to be a dollar compared to the death penalty imposed on adult criminals,” he said after opening the Six Telupid/Tongod District Graduation at the Simpang Entilibon Hall here yesterday.
The minister’s Housing and Urban Development Authority (LPPB) chairman was asked to comment on the bullying incident that resulted in the death of a 13-year-old, Zara Qairina Mahathir, a first-grade student at the Sekolah Menengah Agama (SMKA) Tun Datu Mustapha in Kinarut on July 16.
Zara was found unconscious at the SMKA dormitory and was rushed to Queen Elizabeth 1 Hospital before his death the next day.
According to Masiung, young people and parents know that juvenile offenders have only been sentenced to jail for just a few years besides fines if convicted of killing or injuring the victim.
He said the most serious crime-classed murder case among students, especially in the dormitory, would not be possible as long as there was no heavier specific law.
According to him, the relief of bullying cases in the country involves secondary students and institutions of higher learning to death due to the existence of existing legal provisions.
Zara Qairana’s bullying chronology has not only become the focus of Netizens’ anger in the country but has also become a global focus.
In November last year, 17-year-old Mohammad Nazmie Aizat was killed at the Vocational College Dormitory, Lahad Datu, after being beaten by 13 students.
In May 2017 the country was shocked by a case of abuse that led to the death of Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, a trainee at the Malaysian National Military College dormitory, at Sungai Besi Camp, Kuala Lumpur.
Masiung said the installation of CCTV should be required in every school building and hostel to detect bullying cases and immoral things among students.
At the graduation ceremony he approved an allocation of RM36,000 for CCTV installation in school buildings and dormitories for entry in Penangah and Tongod-based schools.
