KUCHING: The National Consumer Action Council (NCAC) has announced its commitment to the nationwide effort to curb student and youth bullying, identifying the escalating issue as a critical national safety concern.
Speaking at a “unity in fight against bullying” dialogue organised by the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) Campus in Sibu, NCAC national vice-president Kevin Lo stated that while consumer protection remains the Council’s primary mission, they must expand their role. He noted that misbehaviour and ill-discipline cases have deteriorated into violent crimes, making the issue a top national priority. The NCAC plans to leverage its existing ground teams to conduct awareness and educational initiatives in schools, educational institutions, and public settings to help tackle the problem.
The dialogue’s host, UTS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Hamid, underscored the widespread nature of the problem, noting that bullying is prevalent not just in schools but also in colleges, universities, and workplaces. He stressed the urgent need for strict anti-bullying laws.
This move by the NCAC aligns with recent calls from Sarawak ministry leaders and politicians advocating for the reintroduction of severe disciplinary measures in secondary schools.
Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, State Deputy Minister for Community Wellbeing and Family Development, argued that it is time to return to the strict punishment system enforced from the late 1970s to the 1990s. He expressed concern that the situation of violence among students is worsening, suggesting that the current disciplinary approach is ineffective. He specifically advocated for the return of public caning to be administered by principals and teachers to students guilty of violence, stating that the current system fails to deter criminal behaviour. He recalled his own experience, noting that in the past, a caning at school was followed by another one at home, reinforcing the gravity of misbehaviour.
In a separate statement, Progressive Democratic Party senior vice-president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh also called for an immediate review of school disciplinary methods. He believes the current system can no longer guarantee a safe learning environment and that a return to firm control and stern punishment is necessary to protect the majority of students who are focused on their studies.
Similarly, former Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu deputy information chief Datuk Peter Minos supported the call for a “no-compromise” stance by school authorities. He suggested reinstating the power for principals to decide on public caning, suspension, and expulsion for students notorious for bullying and violence.
