CURRENTLY, a spate of cases on hysteria in SMK Pangkalan Chepa 2, Kota Bharu, has the nation wondering how to deal with such a situation.

Insofar, authorities have decided to close down the school after a “black figure” was spotted on camera. The picture is currently making its rounds on social media.

The news has gotten international press recognition, most recently being covered by UK paper, The Telegraph detailing the issue with testimony of teachers as well as students.

But for us back here in Malaysia, let’s have a flashback to May 2015.

In less than a year ago, Universiti Malaysia Pahang had a lecturer who released an anti hysteria kit. In fact, Dr Mahayuddin Ismail from the university’s Centre for Modern Languages and Human Sciences still has a webpage on the university website promoting his “pre-commercial” product. (http://www.ump.edu.my/en/product/pre-commercial/anti-hysteria-kit)

I remember this case because the vice-chancellor of the university, Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim, had even gone to the press to give testimony that this product from his institution work at the Education Ministry’s office in Putrajaya on April 30, highlighted here on Astro AWANI dated May 1, 2015.

MUST READ: Local university produces anti-hysteria kit based on hysteria studies

The kit includes salt, vinegar, black pepper and even chopsticks, priced at RM8,500 which includes expert training, further treatment if cases are chronic, three refills for items in the kit, a lecture session, risk management costs and even online consultation services.

After the kit’s media coverage received brickbats, the lecturer himself came out and said that this kit worked, going so far as to say that he has tested the kit on 50 cases successfully.

In fact, Mahyuddin goes so far to say that the kit had been used in cases in schools in Kedah successfully.

Though, he doesn’t mention which schools.

Putting this aside, if Mahyuddin is truly serious about promoting his kit, and the media is open to reminding our government and the Universiti Malaysia Pahang of their so-called discovery, then perhaps it is time to ask if the lecturer and the university will be assisting with the case in Kota Bharu.

READ: Hysteria at SMK Pengkalan Chepa 2

And if our government is serious about promoting so-called “Malaysian made solutions”, then the Ministry of Education should have no problem footing the bill provided that the kit by Mahyuddin works.

It’s a win-win situation for us all. Proving the kit works would mean that the university has increasing testimony of their effectiveness, ends a spate of hysteria in a school and also allows us to promote a Malaysian solution that can be internationally recognised.

Fail, however, and perhaps we need to reconsider if Daing Nasir and Mahyuddin deserve to be in academia and science or should be limited to the fringes instead of being allowed to make a mockery of our education system.

I await further development in any way or form on both these parties.
** The writer is a social observer and a regular contributor to Astro AWANI.

*** Views expressed are personally those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Astro AWANI