SHAH ALAM - Institutions of higher learning (IPT) are urged to establish policies related to bullying in order to prevent such incidents from continuing to occur.
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Syariah and Law Faculty (FSU) Associate Professor Dr Muzaffar Syah Mallow said that the suggestion was made as it was high time that bullying activities, especially those occurring in IPT, received serious attention from all parties.
According to him, many people assumed that bullying only happened among primary and secondary school students, but it could also occur among university or IPT students.
"University management needs to formulate a clear policy regarding the issue of bullying. The policy on bullying should be communicated to every student and staff member of the university.
"A stern reminder against any bullying behaviour should be issued at all times. Immediate and strict action should be taken against anyone found to be involved in such activities," he said in a statement.
Previously, on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal sentenced six former students at the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) to death for the murder of Navy Cadet Officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain seven years ago.
The six, now aged 28, were Muhammad Akmal Zuhairi Azmal, Muhammad Azamuddin Mad Sofi, Muhammad Najib Mohd Razi, Muhammad Afif Najmudin Azahat, Mohamad Shobirin Sabri and Abdoul Hakeem Mohd Ali.
On June 1, 2017, Zulfarhan died after being tortured with a steam iron pressed all over his body and beaten over allegations of laptop theft.
Elaborating further, Muzaffar said that university administrations needed to provide simple and clear procedures for anyone to come forward and report bullying incidents they experienced.
"A simplified process for witnesses to provide their testimony must also be implemented to facilitate the proof process of any bullying complaints.
"Lecturers must also play a role by always being aware of their surroundings," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that educators need to act and offer any kind of assistance immediately if they suspect the existence of bullying activities among students or university staff.
Muzaffar suggested that the government could also draft or establish specific legislation to address bullying issues in the country.
He explained that the government could refer to anti-bullying laws in the United Kingdom and the United States in efforts to curb the problem.
"A strong and more effective legal framework needs to be established to ensure that bullying issues do not continue and to ensure that all parties take the issue of bullying seriously," he said.