Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has called for dramas and films that indirectly promote bullying to be stopped, warning that such portrayals could encourage copycat behaviour among young people.
In a post on Threads on Saturday, Asyraf said content depicting bullying in the name of delivering a moral lesson could have unintended negative effects on younger audiences.
“Stop all forms of dramas or films that indirectly promote bullying in the name of ‘teaching a lesson’, which could ultimately lead to copycat behaviour among young people who want to act like gang leaders, ‘taikos’ and ‘otais’,” he said.
His remarks came following the death of 14-year-old Muhammad Idlan Fareeq Shahril, who was found unconscious at a school hostel in Kuala Pilah before being pronounced dead at Hospital Tuanku Ampuan Najihah (HTAN) on Friday night.
The Form Two student from Gemencheh was the eldest of three siblings. Police have opened an investigation into the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code and detained a 16-year-old student to assist with investigations.
Claims that the teenager had been bullied have emerged following his death, with several political leaders calling for a transparent investigation. Police have urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information while the investigation is ongoing.
The issue of bullying in schools has also prompted calls for stronger action and closer monitoring, particularly in residential schools, with emphasis on early intervention when complaints or warning signs emerge.
Earlier, Kuala Pilah district police chief Superintendent Muhamad Mustafah Hussin confirmed the incident and said a post-mortem would be conducted at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar in Seremban.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Muhammad Idlan’s death is ongoing.
