Police have confirmed that a viral fight involving two students in Bintulu, Sarawak, was not a bullying case, but instead stemmed from a misunderstanding between the two individuals.
Bintulu District Police Chief Superintendent Nixon Joshua Ali said investigations found that the families of both students had since resolved the matter amicably, while the school had also taken appropriate disciplinary action.
According to Nixon, the altercation was recorded by another individual before the video was uploaded to social media, where it quickly went viral and sparked widespread public reaction.
“The incident was simply the result of a misunderstanding. However, it attracted attention after the footage was shared online,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
Although the dispute has been settled between the families, Nixon stressed that the incident should serve as a reminder for schools and the wider community to remain vigilant in preventing violence, gangsterism and bullying among students.
He urged schools to strengthen supervision of students not only during lessons, but also outside classrooms, around school compounds and in hostels.
According to him, closer monitoring could help identify disagreements or minor conflicts before they escalate into physical confrontations.
Nixon also encouraged schools to continue promoting discipline, mutual respect and awareness of the harmful effects of violence through regular educational programmes and student engagement activities.
“Continuous efforts are needed to create a safe and conducive school environment and prevent similar incidents from happening again,” he added.
The viral video, which lasted only a few seconds, showed one student repeatedly punching another while several other students stood nearby watching the incident unfold.
