IPOH: Four Form One students from a boarding school in Kuala Kangsar have been detained following the bullying incident.

       Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the boys, aged 13, were arrested at the Kuala Kangsar district police headquarters yesterday between 6pm to 7pm.

       “We have arrested them to help with our investigation on the incident,” he said

       Earlier, police hauled up eight Form One students from the school for investigations.

       Comm Mior Faridalathrash said police took statements from the eight boys, including the victim.

       The incident captured on video has gone viral on social media platforms, sparking national fury.

       A Twitter user had uploaded a series of tweets which showed at least eight male students who were seen taking turns to punch a boy.

       Just as the police issued the statement, a message allegedly from one of the purported bullies was circulating on WhatsApp pleading for forgiveness from the victim’s family and requested the parents not to lodge a police report.

       According to Utusan Malaysia, the alleged perpetrator said in a WhatsApp screencap that no one will disturb the boy.

       “We apologise very much, especially to you (the victim), parents (of the victim) and everyone.

       “We realise that what we did was very wrong. To you (the victim), I want to apologise for embarrassing you (by) recording you and whatnot. I really hope you don’t lodge a police report, ‘tolong la’; you are our only hope,” said the message.

       In a press statement yesterday, Comm Mior Faridalathrash said police called the owner of the twitter account for assistance.

       “The school principal has lodged a report on Friday (yesterday) at 1pm after video clips of the Thursday incident have gone viral on social media and have gotten attention from netizens,” he added.

       Mara chairman Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun said they would also be investigating the matter and would take stern actions against the bullies.

       “This should not have happened as the students are still underaged and must be protected,” she said yesterday.

       Education Minister Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin had on his Facebook page said his ministry had contacted the parties involved and was informed that action would be taken.

       The boarding school falls under the purview of the Rural Development Ministry. Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said Mara will conduct a detailed investigation into the video.

       “Strict action will be taken against the students involved based on the existing provisions and rules at the Mara management level, on whether the video is authentic,” he said as reported by Kosmo!.

       Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said there must be immediate action against the bullies.