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The Penang State Education Department (JPNPP) has launched an internal investigation into a case involving a Form Five student who was allegedly subjected to sexual harassment and cyberbullying
In a statement yesterday, 6 August, JPNPP said it is also cooperating fully with the police, who are investigating the case.
"The department's immediate priority is to protect the student involved. Psychosocial support interventions are also being provided to assist the victim," it said, as quoted by Malay Mail.
JPNPP stressed that it has zero tolerance for any form of sexual misconduct or bullying and vowed to take strict action against anyone found responsible.
This comes after the student's mother appealed for the harassment to stop, claiming her daughter had been repeatedly targeted since April
The 47-year-old woman, who wished to be known only as Nur, said her daughter's name, class, phone number, and edited photographs were printed on large numbers of posters and distributed around her school in Seberang Perai Tengah.
"The first incident happened last April, when the posters were put up around the school, including in the canteen, classrooms, and on notice boards. Many other copies were also left around the school.
"The second incident happened in June, while the latest occurred yesterday. Posters containing obscene elements were placed in motorcycle baskets around the school, and this incident was extremely humiliating for my daughter," she told reporters.
According to Harian Metro, Nur alleged the obscene images were created using AI, with her daughter's face edited onto another person's body. The images were also circulated through two fake TikTok accounts.
She said they only realised the harassment had spread beyond her daughter's school after the teenager received a message from a stranger asking for obscene videos based on the posters.
Nur said her daughter, who works part-time as a model and has received offers for fashion modelling and product advertisements, has been left distressed by the incidents
She claimed the teenager appears withdrawn and is now afraid to attend school.
"I want this to stop. Leave my daughter alone. She is an SPM candidate, and I do not want her future and emotional wellbeing to be affected by irresponsible acts like this," she said.
She also said she was unsure what motivated the harassment, including whether it was driven by jealousy over her daughter's modelling work.
The family said they have lodged three police reports and filed a complaint with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
She also urged the Education Ministry and police to expedite their investigations, saying the case involves her daughter's dignity, emotional wellbeing, and safety.
