GEORGE TOWN — The Penang State Education Department (JPNPP) has launched a formal internal investigation after a female secondary school student was allegedly targeted in a case involving sexual harassment, cyberbullying, and the circulation of AI-manipulated images — both within school grounds and across public spaces and social media platforms.
In a statement issued on August 6, JPNPP confirmed it is cooperating fully with the police, who are conducting a parallel investigation into the incident.
“The department’s immediate priority is to protect the student involved. Psychosocial support interventions are also being provided to assist the victim,” the department stated.
JPNPP further emphasised that it maintains zero tolerance for any form of sexual misconduct or bullying, and pledged to take the strictest disciplinary action against all parties found to be responsible.
What the Student’s Mother Alleged
The case came to public attention on August 5, when the mother of a Form Five student — a 46-year-old woman — came forward to appeal for justice on behalf of her daughter.
The mother alleged that her daughter had been subjected to sustained sexual bullying and cyber harassment since April. She claimed that her daughter’s likeness had been digitally altered using artificial intelligence tools, with the manipulated images incorporated into posters that were distributed within the school compound, in public areas, and on social media platforms.
The student, who also works as a part-time model, had her name and personal photographs appropriated for fake social media accounts, according to the mother.
The family has since lodged three separate police reports over the matter and submitted a formal complaint to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) regarding the fraudulent accounts.
JPNPP’s Response and Ongoing Cooperation with Police
Following the public complaint, JPNPP confirmed it had initiated its own internal proceedings while extending full institutional support to the police investigation.
The department reiterated its commitment to student welfare and indicated that counselling and psychosocial assistance are being made available to the affected student throughout the process.
No further details were disclosed regarding the identity of the alleged perpetrators or the current status of the police investigation, as the case remains active.
This article is based on a Bernama report. The victim’s identity has not been disclosed in accordance with standard reporting practice for cases involving minors.
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