When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sand paper; they may scratch and hurt you a bit, but in the end, you end up polished and they end up useless.
– Chris Colfer, American actor
I hate bullies! Given the chance I would not hesitate to throw them off the cliff. Just in case you don’t know head or tail, read on.
Bullying in Malaysia appears to be getting out of hand, from educational institutions to political arenas and even our roads. This culture of aggression and intimidation is not only tragic but reflects our collective failure to uphold basic values of respect, dignity and humanity.
Recent incidents have shed light on how widespread and dangerous bullying has become. On Oct 27, a 19-year-old student at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) was stomped on by his seniors, leading to fractured ribs and spine injuries. The fact that such heinous acts can occur in a military university – an institution tasked with producing the country’s protectors – is horrifying.
This is not an isolated incident. In July, six former UPNM students were sentenced to death for the 2017 murder of navy cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who suffered prolonged torture, including being burned with a hot steam iron.
How did we arrive at this point where bullying seems to be normalised in our society? And why do the authorities seem so sluggish in addressing this pressing issue?
As someone who has experienced and fought against bullying, I find it incomprehensible that such a culture continues to thrive. I grew up dealing with bullies at school, university, and even in my village.
In one memorable instance in 1974, when I was a Form 4 student and a school prefect, I warned the bullies in my school to stop their antics. Alongside a fellow prefect – who happened to be a karate brown-belter and a Bruce Lee lookalike – we took matters into our own hands.
After numerous challenges and fistfights after school, we managed to instill fear in the bullies, ensuring they no longer harassed us; but it didn’t stop them from continuing to bully others.
However, our actions came with consequences. I bear a kerambit attack scar on my right chin to this day. We were also stripped of our prefect positions by the missionary school principal Brother Albinus after the bullies complained of their bloody noses. To this day, my classmate, now a successful multimillionaire entrepreneur in Malaya, and I hold the ignominious record of being the only prefects in the school’s history to be sacked.
Yet, we have no regrets. Standing up to bullies was, and remains, a matter of principle, and our actions ensured that these bullies thought twice before intimidating others.
If there is one thing I detest most, it is bullying in any form – whether at school, university, in politics, or even online (cyberbullying). Given the chance, I would not hesitate to enforce the harshest penalties on bullies – including long-term prison terms and holding their parents accountable – to ensure they face the consequences of their actions and that others are deterred from following in their footsteps.
However, individual actions, like mine, are not enough to address this systemic problem. Bullying in Malaysia extends beyond physical violence. It manifests in cyberbullying, racial discrimination, workplace harassment, and even road rage.
The infamous 2019 case of a 16-year-old Kuching girl who tragically ended her life after an Instagram poll encouraged her to do so is a gruesome reminder of the devastating consequences of cyberbullying. This young girl, stressed by family issues and societal pressures, became a victim of collective irresponsibility.
The bullying crisis at UPNM is particularly troubling. This institution is supposed to mould future leaders of Malaysia’s defence forces. Instead, its reputation is marred by repeated bullying incidents, some leading to severe injuries and even death.
As one netizen aptly put it, ‘UPNM – National Bullying University of Malaysia’. Such incidents tarnish not only UPNM’s name but also the broader image of Malaysia’s higher education system. What are our people in charge of education doing? Just letak jawatan-la!
To address this issue, the Ministry of Defence announced new measures, including increasing the number of wardens at UPNM. While this is a step in the right direction, much more is needed. Strengthening security is not enough; we need a complete cultural overhaul and proper religious education within educational institutions.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has strongly condemned the culture of bullying, calling for educational leaders to take responsibility. Yet, words must be matched by actions. The question remains: how serious are we about eradicating bullying from our society?
The Sarawak case also highlights how authorities can sometimes drag their feet. A Padawan police chief once disclosed that Instagram polls encouraged the 16-year-old girl to end her life. If even cyberbullying incidents are met with delayed or inadequate responses, what hope do victims of physical bullying have?
There is no doubt that the authorities need to impose the harshest penalties on perpetrators. The six UPNM students sentenced to death for Zulfarhan’s murder should serve as a deterrent. However, harsher penalties must be complemented by preventive measures.
Schools, universities, and other institutions must create safe spaces where victims can report bullying without fear of retribution. Awareness campaigns, counselling services, and clear anti-bullying policies are essential components of such efforts.
At the same time, we must recognise that bullying is not limited to schools and universities. Racial bullying, workplace harassment, and even political intimidation are widespread. Discrimination based on skin colour, ethnicity, or religion continues to plague many sectors in Malaysia.
I have personally witnessed situations where workers were paid less simply because they belonged to a different race. This despicable practice must end, and enforcement of anti-discrimination laws must be robust; but it won’t happen in my lifetime!
As much as we demand accountability from the authorities, individual responsibility also plays a crucial role. Victims of bullying should be empowered to speak out, and bystanders must be encouraged to intervene. Silence often enables bullies to continue their reign of terror.
Moreover, while institutions must crack down on bullying, students themselves have a role to play. The ‘civil servant mentality’ of disappearing during working hours or slacking off must not infect our educational institutions. Students and young Malaysians must understand that with rights come responsibilities. The same goes for those who use their physical or positional power to intimidate others.
To truly address bullying, we must tackle the root causes. Why do individuals bully? Is it a lack of empathy? Are they replicating patterns of violence and intimidation they have seen or experienced themselves? These questions require answers, and solutions must include psychological support and education.
The bullying culture is a national shame that demands urgent attention. The UPNM cases are glaring examples of how far we have fallen. However, they can also serve as wake-up calls. Hopefully, the authorities wake up from their slumber!
Let us not tolerate this anymore. The harshest penalties must be imposed on those who bully, especially when their actions lead to loss of life. At the same time, preventive measures must ensure such incidents do not recur.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
