He said the decline was the result of prevention efforts by many schools, parents and the ministry.

“The decline is a good sign in our efforts to combat the culture of bullying in schools, and if possible we want to completely eradicate bullying in schools. However, the ministry is still not satisfied and considers it a serious matter,” he told reporters after opening a new building for Ladang Kalumpang Tamil primary school in Hulu Bernam, near here.

Kamalanathan, who is MP for Hulu Selangor, said he had been saddened by news of a recent bullying case when a Year Two pupil, aged 8, was forced to snip off the tip of his tongue in Klang, Selangor.

“I’ve never heard of a bullying case that involved such a serious act, among school children,” he said.

Kamalanthan said appropriate action would be taken against the pupils involved after police investigation reports are obtained.

“The students’ disciplinary records should be reviewed, along with their background and environmental factors, in addition to the influence of peers, before action is taken,” he said.

The new building for SJKT Ladang Kalumpang cost RM3.2 million. He said the school was one of 12 from a total of 37 Tamil schools whose facilities have been improved under the Special Plan Package 2012.

Kamalanathan said RM100 million was allocated for the projects in the 2012 Budget, but the cost rose to RM216 million after negotiations with the Development Division and contractors,

There are 524 Tamil primary schools across the country.

-BERNAMA