Police have confirmed that a recently resurfaced viral video depicting a bullying incident involving a student happened at a Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) in the Seberang Perai Selatan district in mid of last year.

Deputy Chief of Seberang Perai Selatan District Police, DSP Mohd Norazmi Abd Ghapar, told Bernama that preliminary investigations had already been carried out, and the authorities have identified seven students involved in the case, including the victim.

“The incident shown in the viral video took place in the middle of last year. Investigations are ongoing to determine the root cause, though initial findings suggest it stemmed from teasing among the students,” he said. To date, no police report was lodged until the video began circulating online again.

The one-minute and 32-second video shows a group of male students pinning down another student on a bed while repeatedly striking him with a belt.

Following the video’s resurgence, Chairman of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, issued a statement via social media platform X, ordering a thorough investigation into the matter. He assured that stern action would be taken if the bullying allegations were proven true.

“This morning, I received a viral message on social media regarding an alleged bullying case at an MRSM. I have instructed MARA's management and the Secondary Education Division to immediately investigate the matter,” he stated.

He confirmed that the incident occurred at an MRSM in the northern region and ordered the suspension of the students involved during the course of the investigation to prevent any disruption or influence.

“This step is crucial to send a clear message that we will not compromise on issues of bullying,” Asyraf Wajdi added.

He reiterated MARA’s zero-tolerance policy on bullying : whether physical or psychological, within its educational institutions and reminded students of MARA’s strict disciplinary principle: “You Touch, You Go.”

“MARA is a platform to nurture future leaders. How can we produce exemplary leaders if their character and conduct are marred by such behaviour?” he said.

Source / Image Credit : ASTRO Awani, Bernama