KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and the Education Ministry (MOE) to take a stronger stance against gangsterism, bullying, and thuggish behaviour in educational institutions under their jurisdictions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasised the need for a more serious approach to these issues, stating there is no value in leadership and capability without pure values, manners, and ethics. He expressed concern over the presence of thuggish behaviour, bullying, and gangsterism in the education system, including in Chinese schools, Tamil schools, tahfiz schools, and religious schools. Anwar highlighted the contradiction of discussing knowledge while lacking morals and values, urging for a cultural rejection of bullying.
The Prime Minister, speaking at the ‘Temu Anwar’ programme at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), was accompanied by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Higher Education Minister Datuk S
eri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, and UPNM vice-chancellor Lt Gen Datuk Mardzuki Muhammad. Anwar cited world leaders considered corrupt as examples of individuals not lacking in education or skills but in moral integrity and values. He stressed the importance of ethics and values across all fields, including the military, particularly in matters like weapons procurement and tendering processes.
Anwar also underscored the significance of discipline and values in military training and preparedness, noting that these are crucial not just for military institutions but for all universities. He advised UPNM students to view themselves as national assets, urging them to equip themselves with knowledge, resilience, and good character to fulfill their responsibilities in national defence and security.
Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman affirmed that the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) would not compromise with those involved in a recent bullying case at UPNM. The MAF is investigating an incident where a sen
ior allegedly pressed a hot iron to a cadet officer’s chest, with the case being circulated on social media. Anwar stated that the case is under police investigation and expressed hope that educational leaders will take responsibility to end bullying in their institutions, highlighting the prevalence of complaints that only come to light through social media exposure.
