Police: Seven 13-year-olds probed for rioting over MRSM bullying incident

Police: Seven 13-year-olds probed for rioting over MRSM bullying incident

Police and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) have launched a probe into a viral video allegedly depicting a Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) student being bullied.

Perak police chief Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said police have confirmed that the incident took place at the MRSM campus in Kuala Kangsar sometime between 1 and 2am in the early hours of Thursday.

He said the incident involved seven students who are all aged 13.

He said the campus' principal has lodged a police report after the video went viral.

Police will be calling in all the students involved as well as the individual who spread the video on social media for questioning.

The case is being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

Detailed probe

Meanwhile, Rural Development Minister Mahdzir Khalid said he had ordered Mara to conduct a detailed probe into the incident and assured there will be no compromises.

"We will not compromise on any bullying," he said in a statement today.

A video showing a group of teens, allegedly MRSM students, bullying another student has gone viral, triggering widespread outrage.

In the video, the alleged victim stands silently while teens take turns punching him.

Mara chairperson Azizah Mohd Dun expressed shock on seeing the video and spoke out against bullying.

"We don't want bullying to be part of MRSM culture. They are kids and must be protected.

"I was shocked to see the video and I don't want it to happen again," she was quoted as saying by Bernama.

MRSM colleges are managed by the Rural Development Ministry.

Education Minister Radzi Jidin said the incident did not occur in an institution under his ministry's purview.