16 May 2019
Press statement by Wanita MCA Chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Heng urges MCMC & cops to probe cyberbullies who goaded teen to suicide
Wanita MCA is heartbroken and shares in the despondency of the parents or guardians and relatives of a 16-year old Sarawakian lass who jumped off the roof of a building after 69% of her followers on Instagram responded affirmative to a poll she mounted with the question "Really Important, Help Me Choose D/L." “D” being reported as “Death” and “L” being reported “Life.”
Wanita MCA asserts that the police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) should commence investigations and even have to track the social media abusers and press charges on them for being complicit to the suicide.
To the cyberbullies who cajoled and goaded the victim to take her own life, does your conscience not prick you, that there is blood on your fingers too?
Immediate measures might have pre-empted the tragedy. For example, upon noticing the question, her followers should have made attempts to contact and dissuade her, while simultaneously informing her parents or guardians regarding her intentions there.
Her Instagram respondents or followers should have lodged a police report or with the Social Welfare Department for counsellors to intervene. Likewise, the MCMC should have been notified so that they could immediately have blocked or shut down her Instagram account.
Not only should the parents or guardians, but teachers should also look out for tell tale signs of a student being bullied.
To adolescents, speak to a counselling teacher, or religious cleric trained in psychology and mental health conflicts. In coping with a crisis or feeling depressed or undergoing a tough moment, there is no shame at all to seek counselling. The most prominent advocate of seeking help to deal with mental health issues being United Kingdom’s Prince Harry who has acknowledged struggling in his 20s to deal with grieving over the death of his mother Princess Diana.
An adolescent experiencing bodily changes or boy-girl relationship problems or parental or societal pressure may not have the mental maturity to handle the situation. Emotional support from relatives, peers, or religious groups can also help. Just give a listening ear, an embrace, a shoulder to cry can bring comfort and assist one to view or handle a situation from another angle.
Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Wanita MCA Chairperson
-MCA online-
