A Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmaker has suggested that films and shows depicting bullying may be contributing to similar behavior in Malaysian schools. During a Dewan Rakyat debate on the parliamentary select committee’s report on school bullying, Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) called on parents and communities to share responsibility for addressing the issue, rather than leaving it solely to schools.
“Movies shown in cinemas or on platforms like Netflix can normalize bullying,” Rosol said. “Shows centered on bullying or ragging in hostels can influence children to some extent.”
The bipartisan committee recommended that all boarding schools establish anti-bullying complaint boxes and urged the Education Ministry to ensure compliance with anti-bullying guidelines, including the formation of a special committee to oversee enforcement.
Rosol also advocated for the reintroduction of caning in schools as a disciplinary and preventive measure, provided it does not cause injury.
Fellow PN MP Zakri Hassan (PN-Kangar), a former teacher with over 30 years of experience, argued that bullying can be managed but not eradicated. He noted that despite numerous proposals, bullying incidents rose to over 5,000 in 2023. Drawing parallels to broader societal issues, Zakri compared bullying to power imbalances, such as older siblings dominating younger ones or larger nations oppressing smaller ones, referencing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Zakri emphasized that harsh treatment, such as constant scolding, could exacerbate the problem. “Harsh approaches by teachers can harm students, but kindness offers a chance for change,” he said.
