On July 17, the quiet town of Papar, Sabah, was shaken to its core by the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, a Form One student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha.
She was found unconscious in a drain near her hostel, believed to have fallen from the third floor. Her passing, swiftly associated in the public mind with bullying, ignited a storm of grief, anger, and disbelief across the nation.
The absence of a complete forensic investigation, coupled with unanswered questions, gave rise to suspicions of a cover-up and hints of powerful involvement. To many, this was no longer just a personal tragedy but a damning reflection of systemic failure to protect the country’s children.
The call for decisive reform did not emerge in a vacuum. In April this year, Mara chairperson Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki voiced a strong initiative to combat bullying in Mara boarding schools.
His proposal centred on appointing full-time hostel wardens from retired military and police personnel, with the goal of achieving “Sifar Buli” or zero bullying. This move was designed to ensure strict discipline, continuous supervision, and the cultivation of moral values among students.
Under his leadership, Mara has already taken a hard line against offenders, expelling students involved in serious bullying incidents and making it clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Recently, Education director-general Azam Ahmad suggested that all students chant “Kami Anti Buli” (We are anti-bullying) before and after each school session as part of efforts to combat bullying.
This is perhaps the most misguided suggestion ever made. Does repeating a slogan solve the problem, or does it simply create the illusion of action while the real dangers remain unaddressed?
Words will not stop fists from flying, nor will they shield victims from psychological torment. Such a measure risks trivialising a serious issue that demands concrete, systemic solutions, not empty rituals. Without real enforcement and strict consequences for offenders, symbolic gestures like this are nothing more than an illusion of progress.
The proposal to appoint retired officers as wardens, however, is far from symbolic. Veterans bring discipline, vigilance, and moral authority forged through years of service. They can enforce rules firmly, mentor students with empathy, and act as ever-present guardians in an environment where young people live away from their families.
At the same time, this initiative provides meaningful employment to retired servicepersons and police officers who often face uncertainty after leaving active duty.
This vision is in full alignment with the Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan (National Education Philosophy), which aspires to produce students balanced in body, mind, spirit and intellect.
Strong deterrent
But no educational institution can truly achieve this goal if fear and intimidation are allowed to thrive. In boarding schools especially, discipline and moral values must stand as strong as academic achievement.
Supervision alone is not enough. A zero-bullying policy must be reinforced by serious and enforceable consequences. Students proven guilty of bullying should face immediate expulsion and prosecution under the law.
Bullying is not a harmless prank but a deliberate act of harm that can cause lasting psychological and physical trauma. It must be treated with the same gravity as other violent crimes, with punishments that serve as a strong deterrent to others.
We can also learn from international successes in combating school bullying. Norway’s Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Finland’s KiVa initiative, and the United Kingdom’s Anti-Bullying Alliance have shown that a combination of education, early intervention, clear reporting channels, training for teachers and students, and consistent disciplinary measures can drastically reduce bullying.
Adapting these frameworks to suit local cultural and legal contexts could fast-track the journey to safe, supportive schools.
The painful truth is that this nation has too often waited for tragedy before taking action. If Zara’s death is to mean anything, it must be the point where prevention replaces reaction.
Deploying trained wardens, enforcing strict anti-bullying laws, embracing globally proven prevention programmes, and ensuring transparency in investigations must be treated as national imperatives.
Protecting our schools is not simply about preventing harm today; it is about nurturing a generation whose intelligence is matched by compassion, integrity and resilience.
We cannot wait for another child’s life to be lost before acting. Zara’s death must be remembered not only for the questions it raised but for the decisive change it demands.
Sifar Buli must no longer be an aspiration. It must be a national promise and an unbreakable duty. - Mkini
MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS is a former Federal Territories Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional secretary.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.