Malaysia's education ministry investigating video of student beaten with broom on birthday

A video showing a secondary school student being bullied by his friends and hit with a broom is being investigated by the Education Ministry in Malaysia.

The assault is purportedly part of the boy's birthday celebration, reported The Star.

Prior to that, eight students -- including one in a prefect's uniform -- can be heard singing 'Happy Birthday' to the boy.

Deputy Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said such an incident should not happen for whatever reason or purpose.

He added: "I have been informed that the ministry is investigating the case."

It is learnt that such 'bullying' is a tradition practised by students of the school to celebrate their friend's birthday.

Last week, a video showing a group of girls from Assumption Pathway School bullying another student sparked outrage online.

In that video, the girls could be seen hitting their victim -- who is believed to be a special needs child -- with a toilet brush and hanging a toilet seat over her neck.