12/08/2025

TUESDAY | AUG 12, 2025

3 Education system undergoes reforms

o New SOP, tougher measures to tackle disciplinary problems and institutional committees to stamp out bullying, says DG

matter if they are the children of VIPs or even VVIPs – you touch, you go.” Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said bullies, harassers and those who hurl insults – both online and offline – now face up to 10 years in jail, a fine or both, under amendments to the Penal Code. She added that the amendments, contained in the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 [Act A1750], were introduced by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department. The amendments, which received royal assent on Feb 25 and were gazetted on March 7, will come into force on a date to be announced by the minister. “The new sections (507B to 507G) cover offences involving harassment, threats, acts of bullying, insults and misuse of identity information. “They also address situations where such acts lead to attempted suicide or suicide, with offenders facing up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”

work together to tackle the problem in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. Creating a safe school ecosystem is a shared responsibility.” The reforms follow a spate of high-profile bullying cases this year that have fuelled public anger and renewed calls for urgent action. The latest incident involved Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school hostel at SMA Tun Datu Mustafa in Papar, Sabah. Her death has fuelled speculations, including that of bullying. In June, a Form Two student at the Mara Junior Science College in Besut, Terengganu alleged he was assaulted by a group of senior students. He sustained injuries to his abdomen, ribs and back. Six students were expelled over the incident. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, a vocal anti-bullying advocate, said Mara would take a hard line. “We will never compromise with any form of bullying at Mara colleges, or cover up misconduct. It does not

complaint mechanisms, including the bullying complaint portal, to make them more user-friendly and allow anonymous reports to protect complainants and witnesses. An institutional safety reform committee under the ministry will also be set up, comprising academics, NGOs, experts, police representatives and members of the Parent, Community and Private Sector Involvement network. Psychosocial support services will also be strengthened at all levels to safeguard the well-being of students, teachers and the wider school community. Other initiatives include the Bangkit Bermaruah (rise with dignity) intervention programme, designed for students suspended from school, which focuses on community service and character development. “Guidance and counselling teachers play a vital role in prevention and intervention efforts to address bullying. “The ministry urges all parties to

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

including suspension and expulsion, will be taken against offenders.” The reforms include a review of school safety standard operating procedures (SOP) and the introduction of tougher measures to tackle disciplinary problems across all institutions. “The current SOP and guidelines will be reviewed to ensure they remain relevant to present and future needs.” He said a safety audit will begin immediately in all educational institutions, including residential schools and daily hostels – to ensure compliance with safety protocols. The findings will then be presented to the ministry’s top management within three months. The ministry will also overhaul its

PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry is set to roll out sweeping reforms to tighten school safety and stamp out bullying, warning that administrators who fail to act on complaints will face disciplinary action. Director-General Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the measures would cover every level from classrooms to state education offices. “Administrators, teachers, district and state officers who do not handle complaints and reports will face disciplinary action,” he said in a statement. “There will be no compromise on bullying offences. Firm action,

‘Sign and ratify nuclear-weapon-free treaty’ JOHOR BAHRU: Malaysia has urged nuclear weapon states to sign and ratify the protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty without delay, calling it a vital pillar of regional peace, mutual trust and long-term security. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said the government is undertaking a structured assessment to examine the role of nuclear power as a potential option for clean, stable and competitive electricity within Malaysia’s future energy mix. Fadhillah

Phase 3 Rahmah cash aid begins

emphasised the deployment of nuclear energy and advanced technologies must be supported by strong regulatory frameworks, rigorous safety protocols and transparent international cooperation. “Our cooperation under Aseantom is not merely technical, it is deeply strategic. It reflects our shared responsibility to ensure that atomic energy serves sustainable development, strengthens regional stability and secures the well-being of our future generations.” The two-day meeting gathers regulators from Asean member states, the IAEA and dialogue partners to discuss regional nuclear safety, security and safeguards. – Bernama that

PUTRAJAYA: The government began disbursing payments for phase three of the Rahmah Cash Contribution (STR) yesterday, allocating RM2 billion to ease the cost of living for low-income households. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday that 8.6 million recipients will receive up to RM650 each – an increase of 300,000 recipients compared with the 8.3 million beneficiaries under phase one in January. The rise in recipients reflects the government’s decision to keep the application and appeal process open throughout the year, ensuring aid reaches all eligible individuals. Anwar said phase three payments will be made to existing and newly registered recipients in the STR database, either through direct bank transfers or cash disbursements via Bank Simpanan Nasional. The Finance Ministry has urged applicants whose names are not in the database to submit an application for eligibility verification. Frequently asked questions and eligibility status checks are available on the official STR portal at https://bantuantunai.hasil.gov.my. – Bernama RM3.29b investments in AI sector KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has successfully drawn approved investments totalling RM3.29 billion for the artificial intelligence (AI) sector under the Digital Malaysia initiative from January to June, with the potential to create 6,920 job opportunities. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the achievement showed investor confidence in Malaysia’s potential as a regional AI hub. He said the AI and technology sector contributed 23.5% to the gross domestic product in 2023 and the government targets the contribution to grow to 25.5% by the end of the year. “I am confident the target can be achieved based on positive developments in investments, talent development and the implementation of various AI use cases across sectors.” He was replying to a question from Datuk Wira Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu) on the progress achieved by the National AI Office to date and its contribution. – Bernama

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said a strong and enforceable nuclear weapon-free zone is crucial to maintaining stability and safeguarding the region’s future. “Malaysia reaffirms its commitment to the SEANWFZ Treaty. We urge nuclear-weapon states to sign and ratify the protocol without delay,” he said when opening the 12th Annual Meeting of the Asean Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (Aseantom) yesterday.

The assessment, aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan, is aimed at diversifying energy sources, strengthening long-term energy security, reducing carbon emissions and cutting dependence on fossil fuels. The Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation, under MyPOWER Corporation, has been tasked with coordinating preparatory efforts in line with guidelines by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Fadillah (second from left) tours an exhibition after opening the Asean Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy in Putrajaya yesterday. Also present were Chang (third from left) and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (left). – BERNAMAPIC

Water monitoring stations to check radioactivity levels JOHOR BAHRU: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry plans to install four additional gamma spectrum water Perhentian (Terengganu), Tioman (Pahang) and Bintulu (Sarawak).

radioactivity readings are recorded anywhere in the region,” he told reporters after officiating the 12th Annual Meeting of the Asean Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (Aseantom) yesterday. Malaysia’s first gamma spectrum station was installed at Universiti Malaysia Sabah in June 2023. – Bernama

He said the technology is designed to detect and respond swiftly to any radiological threats in water sources. “The system is not only installed in Malaysia but also other Asean countries, allowing early detection if abnormal

monitoring stations by the end of this year to monitor radioactivity levels in Malaysian waters. Minister Chang Lih Kang said the stations will be located in Langkawi (Kedah),