NIBONG TEBAL, April 3 — More than 150 parents staged a protest in front of SMK Bandar Tasek Mutiara in Simpang Ampat yesterday following allegations of rampant bullying and fighting in the school.

They claim there were 11 such incidents last month alone, and urged the state Education Department to intervene and prevent similar incidents.

The latest case occurred on Friday after several senior students allegedly assaulted four of their schoolmates.

A parent with three children studying in the school lodged a police report claiming he witnessed the incident.

"I have three children in the school. I want them and their friends to study in a safe and conducive environment," he said.

Another parent said his son had complained of being bullied by his schoolmates.

He said he raised this during the school’s Parent-Teacher Association meetings but no action had been taken.

Among those who joined the parents at the protest were Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy and MIC central working committee member D. Dhinagaran.

However, police stopped the group from entering the school compound to meet the principal. They dispersed about an hour later.

South Seberang Prai district police chief Supt Abdul Shafee Abdul Samad, who confirmed the police report, said the incident was being investigated under Section 147 of the Penal Code for rioting.

He said no one was injured and the school had taken action against the students. Police had also recorded statements from those involved.

Penang Education Department director Shaari Osman said an investigation would be carried out and action would be taken if there was wrongdoing by the school administration.

He said the department had not received any report on the incident and a meeting would be held with parents and teachers on Wednesday.