Bullied boy gets fractured hip, cops deny case closed

Police have denied claims that they have closed the school bullying case involving Muhammad Syazwan Zolkifle, 15, as claimed by his sister.

"The investigations are going on and the investigation officer is still trying to locate witnesses to record their statements on the case," Brickfields district police chief Sharul Othman Mansor told Malaysiakini.

The Form Three student at SMK Sri Pantai was assaulted in a school bullying incident in September but only told his family that he was suffering from lower abdominal pain in November.

His sister, Norsyahirah Zolkifle (photo), lodged a police report out of fear of her brother's safety and claimed that police ended investigation because the suspect is underaged.

She claimed the suspect is still attending school while her brother has had to seek medical treatment since November.

"My brother never told us he was bullied. I have been busy assisting my mother, who is ill. It was only my father who noticed that my brother was trying to hide that he was in pain.

"We took my brother to Hospital Kuala Lumpur when he admitted he was bullied and the doctor found a fracture on his hip bone," she said.

Muhammad Syazwan is also suffering from nerve damages, which is making it difficult for him to pass motion, she said.

Family of bully offered settlement

Norsyahirah alleged that the family of the student who beat up her brother had approached her to offer to "settle the case".

"They offered RM2,000 as compensation. I refused because it does not commensurate with what my brother is going through, and we still don't know if this has a long-term effect.

"I am most disappointed that police have decided to close the investigations because the suspect is underaged," she said.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Muhammad Syazwan at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) yesterday, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar expressed disappointment with the Education Ministry's inaction.

"I am disappointed that we have no response from the Education Ministry," Nurul Izzah said.

"The principal and school administration cannot remain passive on the school bullying issue; they should be the first line of defence in combating bullying in school.

"We should be confident that our children are safe in school, but what is prioritised is the image of the school, but not the children's safety," she added.

Nurul Izzah said she would also write to the Education Ministry and Home Ministry to take further action on the case.- Mkini