GEORGETOWN: DAP lawmaker Jagdeep Singh Deo has denied claims he was trying to score political mileage by accusing the federal government of failing to address bullying in the country.
Jagdeep also said he has the right to voice his anger and frustration against the federal government following the deaths of 18-year-old T. Nhaveen and naval cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, within two weeks of each other after being subjected to physical abuse by their peers.
“I am a parent with teenagers, too. I don’t want to see another Nhaveen or Zulfarhan case,” he said at a press conference here, today.
Jagdeep, who is Datuk Keramat assemblyman, in his Facebook post on Friday said the federal government had “failed” Nhaveen’s family by not preventing the incident.
“Do not fail the country where this is concerned. Where BN (Barisan Nasional) has failed, we will succeed given a chance,” he had said.
This incurred the wrath of netizens, who accused Jagdeep of trying to politicise Nhaveen’s death.
“How dare you accuse me of capitalising on this issue. Our education system had failed Nhaveen. Since the death of Nhaveen and Zulfarhan, there have been discussions on how the education system has failed. I am just stating the facts,” Jagdeep told his detractors.
Jagdeep strongly urged the federal government to review the education system to curb bullying.
“We must have a mechanism to address this bullying issue. What mechanism does the federal government have in place to address the issue ?”
Jagdeep later announced that DAP Penang will launch the ‘Stop The Bully’ initiative led by the DAP Wanita Penang Chief Lim Siew Khim.
“There is also a legal support group led by RSN Rayer and Ramkarpal Singh that will be formed to aid victims in need,” he said.