6 students held over bullying case in Muar

JOHOR BAHRU: Six 17-year-old male students have been arrested to assist investigations into a bullying incident involving a 14-year-old at a school in Muar last month.

Johor police chief Ab Rahaman Arsad said the boys were arrested in Muar and Alor Gajah, Melaka, between 1.30am and 2.12am today, following a report lodged yesterday.

In a statement today, he said checks showed that all the students have no prior criminal records. Police remanded them for two days until tomorrow to assist in investigations under Sections 323 and 507B of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and bullying, respectively.

Rahaman said police were also probing possible elements of neglect involving the hostel warden and school management as the incident occurred in a dormitory, with the investigation being conducted under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.

He said the victim claimed the suspects, who are senior students at the school, beat him on the chest, caused bruises around his eyes after striking his head, and forced him to hand over his money.

“As a result of the incident, the victim suffered emotional stress and trauma, leading him to quit school,” he added.

He said police take such bullying incidents seriously and will conduct a transparent and fair investigation.