FIVE students from the prestigious Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Besut have been remanded for three days to assist police investigations into an alleged bullying incident involving a Form Two student at the residential school.
The remand order, which runs from Friday to Sunday, was issued by Assistant Senior Registrar Yuhanis Mohd Roslan at the Magistrate’s Court in Besut. The five students, aged between 15 and 17, are being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.
According to Besut District Police Chief Superintendent Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu, the incident occurred late on Tuesday night at the school’s hostel and came to light following a police report lodged by the victim.
The 14-year-old victim alleged that he was forced into a semi-squatting position with a slipper placed on his head for approximately 40 minutes, before being punched in the abdomen and slapped.
“He suffered pain in the abdomen and right rib area, along with bruises on his back,” said Azamuddin in a statement issued on Thursday.
The case has reignited public concern about bullying in elite educational institutions, particularly in fully residential schools that emphasise discipline and academic excellence.
While MRSMs are often praised for producing top-performing students, past allegations of bullying have surfaced intermittently, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safeguarding protocols.
No statements have yet been released by the school administration or MARA at the time of writing. The incident remains under active investigation. - June 27, 2025
