BACHOK: The Education Ministry today warned school authorities not to hide bully cases involving their students.
Senior Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin said the ministry took the issue seriously and would not compromise with those covering up such cases.
"I have read that certain quarters are trying to hide the bullying incident at the school in Nilai (Negri Sembilan). I have said many times before, the ministry will not tolerate schools that hide bully cases.
"The ministry takes this seriously. We need to be transparent about this. To solve the problem, we also need to be honest — so let's work together on this," he said.
Speaking at a press conference after the launching of the 51th National Teacher's Day celebration here today, Radzi said any problem within a community needed cooperation from all to solve it.
"Such cooperation is needed so that we can tell the public what actually happened and how we can rectify it.
"God willing. With the latest information that we have received, the ministry is now going through the incident at the Nilai boarding school.
"If it's true that certain quarters are trying to cover it up, we will take the necessary action," he said.
Radzi said the ministry would also work with police in educating schoolchildren on the issue.
Three students had claimed that they were assaulted by their seniors at the boarding school in Nilai.
The incident happened about 11pm two days ago in a boys' hostel room.
Nilai police chief Superintendent Mohd Fazley Ab Rahman yesterday said police had received reports from three Form Two students who claimed they had been assaulted by their seniors at the school.
Parents of two students today asked the school authorities to put an end to what they call a culture of bullying.
The father of one of the students, Ahmad Fauzi Md Sood, 50, had said drastic action was needed as the "tradition of bullying" was worsening at the school and regarded as normal.
He said his son suffered trauma and was gasping for air as a result of the beating, and this affected his studies.
His son suffered leg injuries after he was hit with a broom, an iron rod and a piece of pulpit wood by two Form Four students.
The father of another bullying victim, Nur Azmi Mohd Nor, 44, said his son also suffered from the same effects following the assault.