KUALA TERENGGANU: Two teenagers who were severely injured in a brutal mass-bullying case at their college here have vowed to continue their studies at the institution.
The duo also said that they hope the horrific incident will serve as a lesson to the culprits and a reminder to their fellow students.
State junior bowler Ahmad Zikrill A’zim Hasbullah and Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Zakaria, both 16, were speaking at their ward at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Batu Burok here today.
Both said they are determined to continue studying at the Wakaf Tembusu Vocational College in Kuala Nerus once they have fully recovered from their injuries.
However, they are still traumatised by the incident, as was evident from their recounting of the ordeal.
“I tried to reason with (the bullies), but they did not relent and continued beating me.
“In a single night, they beat me up twice.
“And all because of a verbal misunderstanding,” said Ahmad Faris.
Ahmad Zikrill, who was in a neck brace, was too weak to speak.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zikrill’s mother, Sueffia Abdul Ghani, said she hopes that such incidents will not recur and that it will be a lesson for all.
“There have been many other similar cases (reported) that have gone viral on social media. Such incidents appear to depict comical situations.
“But such bullying is serious, as they injure the victims and the culprits must realise the gravity of their actions,” she said at the hospital.
Both boys are expected to continue undergoing treatment at the hospital for a week.
Their case came to light when a group of 26 students at the college went on a bullying spree. They were arrested after three of their juniors claimed they were assaulted.
It followed a report lodged by the victims’ parents at the district police headquarters.
The three victims ended up hospitalised after sustaining serious injuries in the attacks between 10.30pm on Monday and 1.30am on Tuesday.
Terengganu Education, Science, Technology and Transformation Committee chairman Abdul Latiff Awang, who condemned the assaults, called for stricter supervision and sterner action by the state Education Department.
Latiff said he is very disappointed over school bullying incidents in Terengganu, which recorded 16 serious cases in the first eight months of this year.
“Bullying, whether physical, mental, via social media or other means, can be traumatic to victims and have a severe effect on their health.
“This has to stop. Although many cases appear to be insignificant, we do not want it to become a trend and spill over to become a more serious issue,” he added.