GEORGE TOWN, Aug 26 — The Penang State Education Department (JPNPP) has assured that necessary measures are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of an Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidate who was subjected to harassment through WhatsApp here.
Its director Mohamad Dziauddin Mat Saad said appropriate steps had been taken to protect the identity of the 17-year-old student and ensure that the incident did not disrupt her preparations for the SPM examination.
“The situation has now eased and the school will ensure that the student can attend classes without any disruption while providing her with the necessary support and guidance.
“We would like to assure parents that the school is taking steps to safeguard the student’s wellbeing,” he told reporters after assessing the school’s preparedness for haze at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Gelugor here today.
He said a police report had also been lodged over the case, with investigations currently being conducted at the school and several locations linked to it.
Mohamad Dziauddin said the school had also advised the student to seek guidance and counselling to help her manage her emotions and focus on her SPM preparations.
He said JPNPP would continue to monitor the case and work with the school and parents to safeguard the student’s safety and wellbeing.
A mother, who wished to be identified only as Nur, 46, recently urged the authorities to expedite investigations into those allegedly responsible for repeatedly subjecting her 17-year-old daughter to sexual cyberbullying.
The woman said her second child, an SPM candidate, had experienced emotional distress after her face, name, class and phone number were allegedly circulated through obscene posters and fake social media accounts since April. — Bernama