School bullying: Not the time or place for DAP to project themselves as victims

As Malaysians grieve at the untimely deaths of  11-year old Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi, 21-year old naval cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, and 18-year old T. Nhaveen purportedly at the hands of one who was supposed to be an authority to be trusted, and the other two by school bullies, it is simple unthinkable that DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang could link the assault unto three youngsters with a bright future ahead of them to DAP being victimised!

In Kit Siang’s press statement of 18 June 2017, he wrote that

“we must bear responsibility as a society which allows bullies to take law into their own hands, and moderates must assume responsibility for allowing … Such extremism to incite intolerance, distrust, hate and violence is taking root in our society. DAP and DAP leaders are victims of such extremism.”

MCA implores unto DAP to please leave politicking out of the issue of school bullying, physical violence against youth victims, school gangsterism and online harassment of schoolmates are universal issues which befall not only in Malaysia but even in developed countries like America. Kindly do not be insensitive towards the family members who are in mourning by diverting these issues to DAP and its leaders being victimized by “extremism” and thus require public sympathy.

Rather than portraying themselves as victims, Kit Siang and DAP would hold credibility if they had issued statements of support to the family members of the deceased, and extended prayers for the trio who suffered in isolation amidst collective beatings, the fear and trepidation they endured during their harrowing ordeal alone.

Personal safety above political affiliation

Nevertheless, where harassment and intimidation had befallen DAP leaders, most recently in Kluang against the Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, or when mob rule appeared to overstep the law, for instance the vitriol and violence by Red Shirts against the Bersih convoy, our MCA had urged the police the investigate and take the necessary action as personal safety and security of an individual irrespective of political affiliation rises above politicking.

Remedial action

Moreover, the BN federal government is taking corrective measures:

Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Hishamuddin bin Tun Hussein Onn has announced that MinDef is reviewing Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia’s academic system.

Health Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Subramaniam has announced that the Health Ministry will summon the doctor who treated Zulfarhan for failing to lodge a police report when receiving a case with suspected criminal elements.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Dato’ Seri Rohani Abdul Karim has informed that the Women’s Minstry will incorporate an anti-bullying campaign into the roadshows on the Child Act (Amendment) 2016 and sexual crimes.  

Nhaveen was dragged and violently sodomised allegedly at a field in Jalan Kaki Bukit, George Town where residents have reportedly voiced concerned that the “area is not well lit and it’s hard to tell what goes on there (New Straits Times, 19 June 2017).” Street lighting comes under the purview of the local authority and Penang is ruled by a DAP-led state government. But now is not the time to point fingers.

Admittedly more needs to be done to quell school bullying be it inserting new clauses into the Child’s Act, Sexual Offences Against Children’s Act, Penal Code, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Act against cyber bullying; having more awareness campaigns, or hotlines for victims to highlight their cases under anonymity for the authorities to act.

Meanwhile, our MCA also urges the police to provide round-the-clock protection to Previin, the sole witness to the brutal bashing and sodomy of Nhaveen. The media is also urged to stop printing or broadcasting the photograph of Previin to further safeguard his identity.   

Lau Chin Kok
MCA Publicity Bureau Deputy Chairman
MCA Youth Technical and Vocational Education Bureau Chairman

-MCA online-