A School Bullying Victim In Terengganu Sued His Bullies And Won RM616,634
He initially filed a claim for RM2 million in punitive and aggravated damages.
A former student of Sultan Mahmud Science Secondary School (SESMA), who suffered a permanent hearing disability from being bullied four years ago, was awarded a whopping RM616,634 in damages
According to New Straits Times, the Kuala Terengganu High Court found nine parties, including five former SESMA students, guilty of bullying the then 14-year-old yesterday, 29 September.
The victim's mother, Rusaila Abdullah (right), talking to their lawyer, Wan Azliana (left).
Image via New Straits Times
The boy, now aged 17, had filed a RM2 million claim against five of his bullies who are now 21 years old, for punitive and aggravated damages
He also named the school's senior assistant of student affairs, the former principal, the Director-General of the Ministry of Education Malaysia, and the Malaysian government as defendants.
In his judgement, High Court judge Datuk Zainal Azman Ab Aziz said the incident showed that the school was negligent in allowing the bullying to happen
"The act was planned and took place in the chief prefect's dorm room, not the side of a drain or a sidewalk," he said.
He continued, "The warden's roster was well organised, but it is useless if the duty is not carried out. It is better to resign and become a regular teacher.
"For the sixth (the senior assistant) and seventh defendant (the principal), they were also seen as negligent in carrying out their responsibilities, especially in ensuring the welfare and safety of school students."
The victim filed the suit through his father, Ahmad Fauzi Abdullah (left), in 2017.
Image via Utusan
The incident happened on 26 April 2015, where the victim was kicked and slapped by the then-Form Five students
As a result, the boy ruptured his eardrum and can no longer engage in water-based activities, reported Malaysiakini.
The boy also suffered depression from the bullying and eventually transferred to another school in July 2015.
The boy's mother Rusaila Abdullah, 43, said she is thankful for the court's decision.
"We are not after money but justice for our son who until today is still traumatised and has lost his hearing due to the bullying," she said.
Last month, these Malaysian filmmakers made an anti-bullying video which won a Cannes Award:
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