GPMS urges Education Ministry, police to act fast on alleged digital sexual bullying of SPM candidate

GEORGE TOWN – The Penang chapter of Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS) has urged the Education Ministry (MOE) to act immediately on an alleged case of digital sexual bullying involving a Form Five student in the state who is also a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidate.

Its chairman, Muhammad Danial Alimin, said the group was deeply saddened and condemned the incident in the strongest terms, adding that the victim and her family were said to have suffered serious emotional distress.

He said editing the victim's photographs using artificial intelligence (AI) to produce obscene content before spreading it on social media and other channels was not a joke, but a form of digital sexual violence that violated the victim's dignity, privacy and rights.

"GPMS views this as a form of digital sexual violence that cannot be taken lightly because it has a major impact on the mental well-being and the future of a student.

"The victim is an SPM candidate going through an important phase of her life. Emotional pressure from such an incident could affect her self-confidence, mental health and academic performance," he said in a statement here today.

He said a victim facing public humiliation and the circulation of shameful content risked trauma, anxiety, loss of self-confidence and withdrawal from family and society.

GPMS therefore urged the MOE to conduct a thorough investigation, strengthen procedures for handling sexual bullying and cyber harassment cases in schools, and ensure the victim receives proper counselling and psychosocial support.

At the same time, he asked the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to prioritise the investigation, noting that the victim's family had reportedly lodged several police reports over incidents that occurred repeatedly.

"Police must identify those responsible and take firm action in accordance with the law.

"The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) must also move quickly against the spread of unlawful content, including fake accounts or digital material used to shame the victim," he said.

He added that schools must ensure the learning environment remains safe while strengthening prevention and intervention systems to address bullying.

"GPMS stands firmly with the victim and her family, and calls on all parties to build a more caring, empathetic and responsible culture so that no student becomes a victim of digital sexual bullying," he said.

Earlier, Kosmo! Online reported that a mother had voiced concern after her daughter, a 2026 SPM candidate, was allegedly subjected to sexual bullying and cyber harassment since April. The teenager's emotional state was said to have deteriorated after her photographs were edited using AI and circulated through posters at her school, in public places and on social media.