Anti-bullying task force to be set up - PAR

A non-governmental organisation will set up an Anti-Bullying Task Force (ABTF) to handle bullying and discipline cases in schools, especially among Indian students.

Pertubuhan Pusat Aduan Rakyat Malaysia (PAR) president, Datuk A. Chandrakumanan said besides PAR members, the special team will also be composed of officials from the Ministry of Education and the Royal Malaysia Police.

"The ABTF was established via the 'Say No' to Bullying in Schools and Student Circles programme, scheduled to be launched by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar at the Police Training Centre here on August 10," he said at a press conference here today

Chandrakumanan said the ABTF was established to guide and provide counselling to students as well as to focus on the aspects of personality development and increased discipline as well as reducing the incidence of crime among the youth and minors.

According to him, PAR had received 1,876 complaints of bullying and gangsterism in schools nationwide from the beginning of last year until February this year.

"In the beginning, we will target Indian students in schools around the Federal Territory, and will extend it if we receive requests," he said.People can lodge complaints of bullying and gangsterism at the PAR website www.par.org.my, he said, while acknowledging that many schools did not report such incidents.

-- BERNAMA