Rural development minister Mahdzir Khalid said the suspension will be for two weeks, adding that the MRSM disciplinary committee has also proposed expelling the students who are in Form One to Form Three.

Earlier, Perak police chief Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the students, all aged 13, were detained when they turned up to give their statements at the Kuala Kangsar district police headquarters yesterday.

“So far, six students have been detained over the incident,” he said.

Mahadzir said the committee called up 10 students involved in the incident for questioning. According to the report that was prepared, six of them hit the victim.

“Four other students at the scene were found abetting and provoking,” he told reporters after officiating at the Padang Terap Division Umno Wanita delegates Meeting, here, today.

Mahdzir said he viewed seriously any bullying case involving students in educational institutions under his ministry, adding that appropriate action would be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents

He said the incident should not have occurred due to MRSM’s strict entry requirements that do not only take into account students’ academic achievement and their active involvement in co-curriculum activities, but also their strong sense of identity.

“But such incidents still occur. As a minister responsible for MRSM, I’m very disappointed. The students should not have been exposed to such an act,” he said.

In a viral video clip, the group of youths were seen punching and kicking another student, prompting public condemnations.

TAGs: Mahadzir Khir, MRSM, bullying, boarding school, viral clip.