The nation reels from the horrendous physical assault that took place recently at the National Defence University, where a senior cadet allegedly violently pressed a hot iron against another cadet’s chest.
This brutal act mirrors a similarly violent incident at the same university that resulted in the death of naval cadet officer Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain seven years ago. The university appears to have learnt no lesson from that horrendous deadly assault.
We welcome the police chief’s announcement that they have opened an investigation into the latest allegation.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rightly pointed out we must not tolerate such violent bullying.
Indeed, we must call out all forms of violent oppression or systemic abuse – from physical assault to cyber-bullying – and the authorities must take decisive action.
For us to combat systemic abuse and violence effectively, we must examine the wider context that enables these heinous acts.
Such abuse and violence seems to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including refugees, migrant workers and the stateless.
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Perpetrators of violence could be drawing inspiration from power-hungry politicians who use the sheer might of the majority to target minority communities in the quest for power and position.
Perpetrators could also get ideas from the way draconian laws are used to silence critics. Such repression is a form of institutional violence that normalises heavy-handed behaviour in society.
What’s more, when the authorities fail to hold violent offenders accountable – when they fail to haul those who engage in physical abuse against, say, a person with a disability – they signal that such actions may go unpunished. This is unjust and immoral.
A moral, ethical and compassionate society must not tolerate or condone violence in any form.
Aliran executive committee
2 November 2024
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Any bullying or violence must be stopped.