Mara chairman calls for end to movies, dramas on bullying

Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has urged an end to movies and dramas that depict bullying, fearing such portrayals could inspire youths to mimic the behavior. The education chief, known for his outspoken stance against school bullying, contends that films or series addressing the issue paradoxically perpetuate it. "You end up with youths acting like they are 'taikos' and 'otais'," Asyraf stated on social media, using terms for ringleaders in bullying scenarios.

His call for a halt to such content followed a tragic incident where a 16-year-old student at a sports school in Kuala Pilah died after being allegedly assaulted by a senior student. The family of the deceased has reported the case to the police, initiating a murder investigation. The arrested 16-year-old male is cooperating with the probe, which unfolded in the school dormitory around 8pm yesterday.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has ordered an immediate safety audit of the school. In a separate post, Asyraf expressed deep sorrow over the student's demise, emphasizing that if the allegations are substantiated, prompt action is imperative. His previous stance on bullying has been firm, stating that any form of violence within Mara’s educational institutions would not be tolerated.