Mariam Mokhtar
Published: Aug 22, 2025 1:05 PM
Updated: 3:05 PM
COMMENT | We get the message; the government will only react when the peace of the nation is threatened, and when the people have had enough.
Instead of continually listening to the rakyat, ministers appear to respond only when things have gotten to a head, when they then jump on the bandwagon and show mock concern.
So, will ministers only address the bullying epidemic in our schools when the death tally mounts and public protests dominate our streets?
On Aug 9, Sabahans in three towns took to the streets to demand justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was found unconscious in a drain, at the foot of her three-storey hostel. Allegations that she had been bullied had not been taken seriously by the authorities.
Although there have been other cases of bullying throughout Malaysia, Zara’s death touched the rakyat’s collective nerve, and they were prepared to defy the authorities and stage street protests.
Why did it take such a long time for students to demand the resignation of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek?
The failure to address bullying is one of the ministry’s major flaws, but will the students also demand that Fadhlina begin a total revamp of the education system?
Early signs
Named as the education minister in December 2022, the nation was euphoric that she was the first woman to fulfil the particular role.
However, questions were swiftly raised about her suitability as she was a syariah lawyer by training and a former PKR activist.
She lacked the experience of being in government, especially as education, like defence, is considered a “heavyweight” ministry.
Published: Aug 22, 2025 1:05 PM
Updated: 3:05 PM
COMMENT | We get the message; the government will only react when the peace of the nation is threatened, and when the people have had enough.
Instead of continually listening to the rakyat, ministers appear to respond only when things have gotten to a head, when they then jump on the bandwagon and show mock concern.
So, will ministers only address the bullying epidemic in our schools when the death tally mounts and public protests dominate our streets?
On Aug 9, Sabahans in three towns took to the streets to demand justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was found unconscious in a drain, at the foot of her three-storey hostel. Allegations that she had been bullied had not been taken seriously by the authorities.
Although there have been other cases of bullying throughout Malaysia, Zara’s death touched the rakyat’s collective nerve, and they were prepared to defy the authorities and stage street protests.
Why did it take such a long time for students to demand the resignation of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek?
The failure to address bullying is one of the ministry’s major flaws, but will the students also demand that Fadhlina begin a total revamp of the education system?
Early signs
Named as the education minister in December 2022, the nation was euphoric that she was the first woman to fulfil the particular role.
However, questions were swiftly raised about her suitability as she was a syariah lawyer by training and a former PKR activist.
She lacked the experience of being in government, especially as education, like defence, is considered a “heavyweight” ministry.
The Education Ministry
Her policies and leadership would either make or break the futures of generations of young Malaysians. She would also determine the future path of Malaysia.
Many allege that her appointment was because of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) link between her father and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. It was borne out of Anwar’s loyalty and allegiance to her father, and had little to do with her competence and ability.
Two months into her tenure as minister, the first warning signs appeared. Fadhlina said that Malaysian education was on par with Singapore and Japan. She appeared to ignore the concerns of parents who were worried about the Malaysian syllabus.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that the education sector was in crisis and required urgent change. Teachers were burdened with administrative tasks and clerical duties and had little time to teach. However, Fadhlina dismissed his concerns.
Boot polishing
Subsequently, it became increasingly evident that Fadhlina seemed to perform merely to “please” her boss, rather than to do the right thing to uphold education in Malaysia and implement the much-needed reforms.
Probably at the behest of her boss, Fadhlina ordered schools in Malaysia to hold a “Palestine Solidarity Week” in October 2023.
Her policies and leadership would either make or break the futures of generations of young Malaysians. She would also determine the future path of Malaysia.
Many allege that her appointment was because of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) link between her father and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. It was borne out of Anwar’s loyalty and allegiance to her father, and had little to do with her competence and ability.
Two months into her tenure as minister, the first warning signs appeared. Fadhlina said that Malaysian education was on par with Singapore and Japan. She appeared to ignore the concerns of parents who were worried about the Malaysian syllabus.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that the education sector was in crisis and required urgent change. Teachers were burdened with administrative tasks and clerical duties and had little time to teach. However, Fadhlina dismissed his concerns.
Boot polishing
Subsequently, it became increasingly evident that Fadhlina seemed to perform merely to “please” her boss, rather than to do the right thing to uphold education in Malaysia and implement the much-needed reforms.
Probably at the behest of her boss, Fadhlina ordered schools in Malaysia to hold a “Palestine Solidarity Week” in October 2023.
She said that this event would “teach students humanitarian values, which also cover human rights and courtesy”. She wanted students to be colour-blind, empathetic, and attentive to the sufferings of others, irrespective of race, religion, or social status.
Fadhlina failed to note that children and teachers playing mock war games in schools using imitation rifles and stomping on the Israeli flag only encourages violent, vengeful, and retaliatory tactics. Many parents were alarmed that our schools were breeding “little jihadists”.
When she boasted about welcoming and hosting a Taliban delegation to her office, she said that her intention was to “open the eyes” of the Taliban rulers and school them on restoring the rights of women to education.
Is she naïve or just daft? Does she not know that women are denied an education in Afghanistan? Moreover, women who once served in leadership roles before the Taliban rule are now being hunted and executed.
When she increased religious learning for Malay students, with the introduction of the Imam Al-Nawawi-Hadith 40 module in schools, some parents claimed that their children were suffering from “religion fatigue”.
Again, they were ignored. Although these are national-type schools, it sometimes feels as if PAS is in power, as Madani is doing all their work for them.
Are we stuck with her?
Teachers who had sexually harassed their charges were told, “You touch, You go”. This makes little sense. If an investigation finds the teacher guilty, he must not only be sacked but he should be arrested, charged, prosecuted and included on the sex offenders register.
We will never know if the child who was bullied by a teacher to stand in the hot sun for three hours as punishment was disciplined or sacked. The child developed a neurological condition.
Strangely, standing under the hot sun is a punishment allowed by the ministry. How did Fadhlina rectify this?
Wasting RM8.4 million on flag badges for schoolchildren and linking the wearing of flag badges with patriotism shows where her priorities lie.
Her bizarre behaviour ranged from the Palestine Solidarity Week in October 2023 to the cringeworthy act of encouraging pupils to sing Happy Birthday to Anwar on his birthday this month.
Students and parents should have demanded Fadhlina’s resignation in 2023 when her various missteps and errors first showed.
What will they do if she refuses to go, and Anwar will not sack her?
MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, X.
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