KUCHING — Police have been urged to take immediate and firm action against a group of students involved in an extreme bullying incident that was disguised as a joke.
Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, stressed that “extreme joking” cannot be normalised in schools or higher learning institutions, as it falls under the category of bullying.
He warned that such acts must not be taken lightly as they could lead to serious injury, trauma or even death.
“Hopefully, the police can act immediately. Acts like this can never be compromised or silenced on the grounds of jokes. Do we want to wait until there is permanent injury or death before we act?” he questioned in a statement on his official Facebook page.
In the same post, Dr Asyraf also shared a disturbing video showing five students restraining a fellow student by his arms and legs before deliberately swinging his body until his crotch hit a signpost pole.
What drew further concern was the presence of several other students who stood by as spectators. Instead of intervening, they were seen laughing and treating the dangerous act as entertainment.
Dr Asyraf stressed that perpetrators must be charged accordingly to send a strong message that bullying, in any form, will not be tolerated. He added that disciplinary and legal measures are necessary to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
The case, believed to have taken place at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in Miri, has since sparked outrage on social media, with netizens demanding swift action from the authorities.
Community leaders and parents have also called for stricter enforcement and anti-bullying awareness campaigns in schools, pointing out that the culture of dismissing harmful actions as “just a joke” must end immediately.