A prank known as “Happy Corner” that originated in China has made its way to Malaysia, triggering student suspensions in schools determined to show they are getting tough on bullying after a string of scandals.
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Happy Corner, also called aluba in Taiwan, is a prank or form of hazing common among boys in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan that started in the 1980s. It typically involves several boys lifting up an unsuspecting victim and bumping his groin against a pole-like object.
A 13-second video of the prank being pulled on a student at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in Miri, Sarawak, made the rounds on social media over the week, showing the roughly 18-year-old’s groin being smashed against a pole so forcefully that one of his shoes fly off, while others laugh. It is not clear how the practice made its way to this institution.
The incident caught the attention of Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, whose ministry governs the institution. Not only had the people involved in the prank been suspended, but their student allowance was frozen, Yeoh said.
“The Miri IKBN Student Disciplinary Board Committee unanimously decided to impose several other disciplinary actions on the students involved, including the immediate suspension of their allowances and the requirement to perform charity work,” Yeoh said at a press conference on Thursday. They also lost weekend leave privileges for students who live on campus.
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She added that the perpetrators and victims of the bullying were required to attend counselling sessions set up by the institute. The police will hold talks on bullying and set up a complaints box for students on the campus.