Asyraf said the preliminary probe into the incident revealed that the alleged bullying was a “cruel joke”.

However, he said: “There is no forgiveness for bullies, especially ones who target those who are disabled. Any excuse, even one claiming it was a joke is unacceptable and stern action will be taken.”

His statement comes in the wake of a widely shared video clip of the incident showing a man alleging that a trainee with learning disabilities had been bullied.

The man expressed his shock when the disabled student, whom he had only just met at a badminton court, told him about the incident. The video also depicted the victim being struck in the face with a white object while lying on the floor.

Asyraf said all those involved in the incident will be summoned tomorrow.

The Mara chairman has previously come down hard on incidents of bullying, and has said that he would never compromise on his policy of “you touch, you go” for Mara’s education institutions.

In April, he recommended the expulsion of seven students who bullied a fellow resident at a Mara junior science college in Penang. He also said his office would not entertain a bid by the students to meet him to file an appeal. He said he did not believe they deserved a second chance.