Anwar tells schools, varsities: Zero tolerance for bullying, arrogance

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for schools and universities to adopt a strict policy against bullying, as such behavior can jeopardize the nation's future. He emphasized that students who bully others due to perceived advantages must not be permitted to succeed within the education system. According to Anwar, there should be no tolerance for such actions, as compromising on this issue would have severe consequences for the country's progress.

The prime minister stressed that academic excellence alone is insufficient for building a civilized society; values, character, and respect for others are equally important. He called for a balance between embracing new knowledge, such as information technology and artificial intelligence, and maintaining "adab" (good manners) and ethical conduct. Anwar warned that a country can achieve technological advancements but still be ruined if its human values are neglected.

He also expressed concern about the potential consequences of bullying among students. Anwar stated that if a Form Five or Form Six student exhibits bullying or arrogant behavior, there is a risk of producing future leaders with similar traits. He urged teachers and lecturers to take a firm stance against such behavior, noting that isolated cases should not define an entire institution, but they should not be dismissed either.

Anwar stressed the importance of adopting a new culture of respect and tolerance, where the spirit of independence includes freedom of thought and the rejection of prejudices based on race, skin color, culture, or religion.