Bullying is a sad social problem that scars individuals, families, and communities. It can cause long-term psychological trauma, physical harm, and in extreme cases, even death. The tragedy of bullying is that it not only destroys lives in the present but also plants seeds of dysfunction that can corrupt the future of society.
Bullying is not a uniquely Malaysian issue. It is a global concern, taking place in schools, workplaces, and public life across the world. But Malaysia has had its own heartbreaking cases that highlight how serious the problem can be.
One recent example is Zara Qairina Mahathir, a 13-year-old in Sabah who died in July 2025 after alleged bullying in her school dormitory—a case that sparked nationwide outrage, suspicions of a cover-up, and allegations of protection for perpetrators from influential families.
Another is Naval Cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain, who in 2017 was brutally tortured with a steam iron by fellow students at the National Defence University and later died, with six attackers eventually sentenced to death in 2024. Both cases reveal the devastating consequences of unchecked bullying and the urgent need for accountability and stronger safeguards.
These are only the high-profile cases that made national headlines. The sad reality is that there are countless other bullying incidents in Malaysia that go unnoticed. Many victims suffer in silence, bearing psychological scars, dropping out of school, or carrying trauma into adulthood. When we look at these patterns, we begin to see why bullying can be described as the “training ground” for corruption.
What is the link between bullying and corruption?
At its core, both bullying and corruption share the same DNA: the abuse of power when accountability is absent. In bullying, the stronger—physically, socially, or institutionally—prey on the weaker. In corruption, those entrusted with authority misuse public trust for private gain. Both thrive where power is unchecked.
They also share a culture of silence. Bullying victims often stay quiet out of fear, shame, or the belief that nothing will change. In corruption, whistleblowers face retaliation, job loss, or even physical danger. This silence allows abuse to spread and become normalized.
Another parallel lies in the networks of protection. Bullies are sometimes part of popular groups or influential families who shield them from consequences. Similarly, corrupt politicians or business leaders often rely on connections and patronage to escape justice. In both settings, accountability is bent or broken by social and institutional shields.
Finally, both bullying and corruption erode trust. In schools, students stop trusting teachers, parents, or systems that fail to protect them. In society, citizens lose faith in government when corruption is covered up. This breakdown of trust weakens institutions at every level, making it harder to build a just and functioning society.
For this reason, bullying is more than just a “childhood problem.” It is, in many ways, the training ground for corruption. A bully learns early that abuse of power works—especially if one has protection. If society fails to correct this behavior in schools, the bully grows into adulthood carrying the same mindset into politics, business, and public service. Unchecked school bullying, therefore, is not just a social issue; it is a pipeline to systemic corruption.
What is to be done?
Bullying will never be eradicated completely, but it can be minimized when families, schools, communities, and government work together. The aim is to create a culture where bullying is neither tolerated nor normalized. This requires consistent action at every level, but most importantly, it begins with leadership that embodies responsibility and integrity.
As Caliph ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb once said, “If a mule were to stumble on the road, I fear that Allah would ask me, ‘Why did you not pave the way for it, O ʿUmar?’” This standard of leadership—where even the suffering of the smallest is a leader’s responsibility—is the very opposite of the culture of impunity that fuels bullying and corruption.
The key takeaway is clear: bullying and corruption are two sides of the same coin, both representing the misuse of power when accountability is absent. Tackling bullying in schools is not only about protecting children—it is about building a society free of corruption in the future. The question remains: Are our leaders prepared to embrace such deep accountability as ʿUmar did—or are we raising a future of corrupt leaders?
STOP A BULLY TODAY, PREVENT A CORRUPT LEADER TOMORROW.
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