The death of 14-year-old SMK Danau Kota student, Keziah Nisha in Kuala Lumpur has sparked renewed concern over bullying in schools, particularly allegations involving verbal and racial remarks among students.
Political Secretary to the Finance Minister Kamil Munim expressed his condolences to Keziah’s family in a Facebook post, describing her passing as a heartbreaking loss of a young child who should have been growing up, studying and pursuing her dreams.
Kamil said he had been informed of initial reports suggesting that verbal bullying, including remarks with racial elements, may have been involved. However, he stressed that the matter must be investigated thoroughly and that no one should jump to conclusions or point fingers before the investigation is completed.
He called for a comprehensive, transparent and fair investigation, urging all relevant parties to examine every possibility and hear from those involved so that the truth can be established.
A Wider Concern Over Racism Among Students
Kamil also used the incident to urge Malaysians to reflect on how children develop attitudes towards race and discrimination. He stressed that racism does not simply develop in children on its own, arguing that young people observe, hear and imitate the behaviour and language around them.
He warned that when racial insults are treated as jokes, or when racism is normalised in conversations, social media and wider society, such attitudes can eventually enter school environments.
Schools, should be places where children feel safe to learn and grow, rather than environments where they learn to hate or look down on others because of their race or background. He also urged parents, teachers, community leaders and the public not to dismiss racial insults or bullying as merely “children being children”, stressing that such behaviour should be taken seriously before it develops into something more harmful.
What Should Students Do If They Are Being Bullied?
Students who experience bullying should not suffer in silence. They can:
- Tell a trusted teacher, school counsellor, parent or guardian about what is happening.
- Keep evidence of bullying, particularly in cases involving messages, screenshots or social media posts.
- Report the incident to the school administration.
- If the matter is not addressed, complaints can also be submitted through the Ministry of Education’s Bullying Complaint Portal. The ministry’s guidelines state that students or informants can report bullying directly to the school, through a school complaint box or through the KPM bullying complaint portal.
- Students or families can also contact Talian Kasih 15999, which operates 24 hours a day and provides assistance relating to children, abuse, social issues and counselling. It can also be reached through WhatsApp at 019-261 5999.
Most importantly, being bullied is never the victim’s fault. Speaking up is not a sign of weakness; it is an important step towards getting help and staying safe.
Members of the public have urged the Ministry of Education to take swift and decisive action to address bullying in schools and prevent further tragedies. Kamil’s message serves as a reminder that creating a safe and inclusive school environment is a shared responsibility, ensuring that children grow up learning to respect one another rather than judging or hurting others based on race, religion or background.
Source: Kamil Munim Facebook
