PUTRAJAYA: A separate anti-bullying legislation should be enacted to address the menace of bullying among students in schools, say parents and a women’s group.

       Parent Zainizam Wakimun, 45, said it was time for the government to enact a law after his child was left with a broken arm and traumatised after being bullied by seniors in school.

       “My son was left with physical injuries and he no longer wants to go to boarding school.

       “As a parent, I need to do something as it is my responsibility. I hope the government will take bullying cases more seriously,” he told reporters after meeting with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Perdana Leadership Foundation yesterday.

       He was accompanied by Pertubuhan Aspirasi Wanita Malaysia (Aswa), which will be submitting a memorandum on the issue to the Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry as well as the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law).

       During an incident in April, the boy was beaten up by several seniors at his boarding school.

       Zainizam said there should be a standardised internal standard operating procedure (SOP) across schools nationwide on how to handle bullying cases in school.

       “After the perpetrators were remanded by police, they were allowed to return to the boarding school.

       “If I send back my son back, what will happen to him? Do you want to wait for him to be beaten to death before action could be taken?” he said.

       Meanwhile, Aswa chairperson Wan Azliana Wan Adnan said the existing law was not enough.

       “The punishment on school bullies is not harsh enough. The maximum penalty is just a 14-day suspension.

       “The other types of punishment are just disciplinary actions, which include caning and sacking.

       “We want the Education Ministry to provide a clear standardised SOP on school bullying,” she added.