Bullying or misunderstanding? Unpacking the viral school assault case in Terengganu
SHAH ALAM – A viral Instagram post by a local man identified as Amir Hafiz has reignited national debate on school safety after his 12-year-old daughter, Maya, was hospitalised following an alleged physical assault at a primary school in Terengganu.
With authorities calling the incident a misunderstanding and the victim's family seeking legal counsel, the case has triggered widespread concern over how bullying is handled in Malaysian schools. Despite the incident occurring around 10am, Amir has confirmed that he only learned of it hours later, at 4.45pm, when his daughter returned home and told him herself — not the school. Photo: Instagram / @amir.hafiz.125
Here's what transpired and the events that followed:
April 2024: The First Warning
More than a year ago, on April 22, 2024, Amir wrote that his daughter Maya, then a Year 6 student at SK Sultan Sulaiman 1 in Terengganu, had already been the target of ongoing verbal bullying.
He took action by lodging a police report, but the school opted to resolve the matter internally.
'We lodged a police report. The school requested to resolve it internally.
The headteacher, senior assistant for student affairs and discipline teacher were present and they promised to transfer the class as the perpetrator had a history of bullying,' Amir wrote on Instagram.
Despite assurances, Amir feared the worst.
He made several attempts to remind the teachers of his daughter's plight.
'Please don't wait until something worse happens…' was a message he relayed to the teachers, according to his Instagram post.
However, as he later reflected, he never imagined that a year later, the situation would escalate into a physical assault that almost cost his daughter her life.
May 21, 2025: Violence Erupts
On May 21, things turned violent for Maya. In a series of disturbing events, another student, identified as Ozil in Amir's Instagram post, allegedly assaulted Maya at school. According to Amir Hafiz, blood was found during a urine test and Maya was subsequently warded. Photo: Instagram / @amir.hafiz.125
According to Amir's account, Ozil assaulted Maya by pulling on her hijab, kicking her in the stomach twice, grabbing her head and ramming his forehead into hers forcefully. He then threatened to punch her in front of a teacher at school.
Despite the incident occurring around 10am, Amir confirmed that he only learned of it hours later, at 4:45 pm, when his daughter returned home and told him herself, rather than the school.
'My daughter was traumatised. We went straight to the hospital and the case was referred to OSCC (One Stop Crisis Centre).
"Blood was found in her urine. She was warded due to concerns of internal injury,' he said.
In a heated exchange of words, Amir called on fellow parents to reflect on the current state of school administration in protecting children and students.
'Is school truly a safe place for our children? If the perpetrator is protected and the victim sacrificed, what does this education system really stand for?'
'We are not asking for sympathy. We are asking for justice,' he wrote.
The School's and JPNT's Response
Outraged by the events that befell his daughter, Amir criticised the school's lack of prior action.
He claimed that the bully had never faced real consequences, despite being known for previous incidents.
'My daughter is the one forced to consider transferring schools just to protect her mental health.
"How long will the school keep washing its hands of responsibility? How long will the State Education Department (JPN) continue to dismiss our complaints as baseless?' he said.
In the same initial Instagram post, he stated that he had contacted Terengganu State Education Department (JPNT) via a written letter regarding the bullying case but ultimately received a response informing him that they found his complaint to be baseless.
Following the viral Instagram post, the JPNT released a statement, denying that the case involved bullying. Amir has further stated that he had contacted via a written letter to JPNT in regards to the bullying case but ultimately received a response informing him that they found his complaint to be baseless. Photo: Instagram / @amir.hafiz.125
JPNT affirmed that the case was instead a misunderstanding between two pupils, as confirmed by the School Liaison Officer of the police.
JPNT's statement also outlined the next steps for Maya's case.
'The investigation was carried out according to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Bullying and Misconduct. The school has also visited the student involved while she was receiving treatment at the hospital, and a reconciliation session between the parents of both students is being arranged and will be implemented in the near future,' they said.
JPNT further stated that the state harbours a no-tolerance policy for any form of bullying and misconduct.
'We will not compromise on any form of bullying or misconduct and will take firm action to ensure a safe school environment," it said.
Education Minister Responds to Political Allegations
The incident gained further traction online amid allegations that the bully's mother is a politician with links to the Education Minister - claims that led some to speculate about undue influence over the outcome.
In response, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek recently issued a firm denial of these allegations.
'I have never known this individual. As a follow-up step, I have also instructed the MOE Integrity Unit to conduct further investigations.
"I am closely following the development of this issue and want it to be resolved immediately,' she said, while condemning attempts to politicise the case and inadvertently take the conversation away from Maya's well-being.
Current Circumstances for Maya
On June 17, Amir updated followers on Instagram after a reconciliation session was held between the two families.
While he expressed his appreciation for the efforts made regarding Maya's case, he confirmed that legal steps were being taken for his daughter's rights and welfare.
'We appreciate the efforts of JPNT in proposing a harmonious resolution. However, in order to ensure that Maya's rights and well-being remain protected, we have appointed a lawyer and entrusted them to review the decision and determine the appropriate next steps,' the post read.
He expressed his heartfelt appreciation to those who have supported his cause and his daughter's rights, as matters are currently being resolved for Maya's current circumstances.
'Thank you for your prayers and support. We kindly ask that you respect our journey in seeking a calm and dignified resolution,' he said.
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