23/08/2025

SATURDAY | AUG 23, 2025

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Study needed on use of ex-military wardens at schools o Move could risk creating overly rigid learning environment if not implemented carefully, says expert

Raising of civil service retirement age to be explored KOTA BHARU: The government will study a proposal to increase the mandatory retirement age for civil servants to 65, said Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. “The study will only commence during the 13MP and is expected to conclude after the plan ends. “However, the Public Service Department (PSD) will begin an initial assessment earlier, including benchmarking retirement ages in other countries,” he said after visiting Siti Rubiah Mohammad, the widow of Kota Bharu Municipal Council retired officer Kamal Ariffin Mohamed on Thursday. Wan Ahmad Dahlan said several countries already have higher retirement ages than Malaysia, such as Singapore at 62 and the Scandinavian nations, where it could go up to 70. He said Malaysia also has certain schemes with extended retirement ages, such as judges who retire at 66. “This is not an unusual consideration for the government. However, such a policy shift will require a long-term approach and will not be implemented in isolation. “PSD will engage with various stakeholders, including retiree associations, Cuepacs and youth associations, as they too would be affected by this policy.” On concerns that extending the retirement age may affect productivity, Wan Ahmad Dahlan stressed the need for a thorough and evidence-based study. On July 31, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13MP, announced that the retirement age policy would be reviewed as part of Malaysia’s transition towards becoming an ageing nation. He had said any decision must take into account various factors, including financial implications and the potential impact on employment opportunities for younger workers. – Bernama M’sia must develop internal tech: PM KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia cannot continue to rely on foreign technology and must build internal capabilities, including cloud computing, to protect the country’s classified information and strategic assets, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the need for new technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing to be addressed through a security lens was discussed when he chaired the National Cyber Security Committee Meeting on Thursday. “Therefore, the government will continue to strengthen the country’s cyber defence by protecting critical infrastructure, increasing public awareness and strengthening cooperation among government agencies, the private sector and international partners. “In terms of legislation, the Cybercrime Bill will be tabled in Parliament at the end of this year,” he said in a post on his Facebook page. Anwar said every individual plays a role in protecting personal data online, including through the use of MyDigital ID, which now records an average of 25,000 users per day as a result of integration with apps such as MyJPJ, MySejahtera, MyBayar PDRM and MyGOV. “Malaysia’s commitment is also expressed at the global level. In the near future, we will sign the United Nations Convention on cybercrime in Hanoi, Vietnam, as proof of our determination to strengthen international cooperation against digital crime.” – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The government must carefully study whether the appointment of ex-military wardens at schools should be limited to problematic schools and boarding institutions, said experts. They cautioned that while the move to appoint such wardens at Maktab Rendah Sains Mara hostels is a step to curb bullying, it could risk creating an overly rigid learning environment if not implemented carefully. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had said a six-month pilot project, with retired military personnel deployed as wardens at the Balik Pulau and Besut hostels, may be expanded to all 57 Maktab Rendah Sains Mara colleges nationwide, if successful. “Will students be comfortable living under military-style discipline in hostels? If such an approach truly appealed to them, many would have voluntarily joined the National Service Training Programme,” said Universiti Utara Malaysia College of Law, Government and International Studies associate professor Dr Mohamad Faisol Keling. “More importantly, will this environment encourage a culture of learning or restrict it?” Mohamad Faisol said the issue should be addressed through education rather than rigid enforcement, adding that academic excellence is nurtured in a comfortable and healthy environment, not one that is harsh, strict and overly disciplined. However, he said the move could reassure parents, boosting their confidence in hostel safety. “The key question is whether it will be well-received by students. “If it is to be implemented, it would be better to apply it to daily classes from 8am to 5pm or problematic dormitories or specific schools only.” Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Malaysian Inclusive Development and Advancement Institute deputy director Dr Anuar Ahmad called it a step in the right direction to relieve teachers of excessive responsibilities while ensuring student safety and discipline. Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com GEORGE TOWN: Bullying in Malaysian schools is far more rampant than official figures suggest, said the Penang Hindu Association (PHA). Its president Datuk P. Murugiah said bullying has grown more widespread and severe, with new cases surfacing almost every week in the media. “We see bullying as a severe social problem that has an unfavourable impact on student development and behaviour. “Recently reported cases show victims being subjected to persistent physical force, emotional abuse and psychological intimidation meant to injure, threaten and dominate,” he said in a statement. Murugiah said bullying, although not new, has intensified in recent years with technology and social media fuelling its spread. He said the effectiveness of measures such as circulars, guidelines and posters issued by the Education Ministry must be reviewed. Murugiah also raised concerns over the role of school counsellors, hostel wardens, Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Anuar said tackling bullying in schools requires more than disciplinary control. – ADAMAMIRHAMZAH/THESUN

quarters and require stricter oversight. He said addressing bullying requires more than disciplinary control. “Bullying doesn’t just happen suddenly. It is a behaviour formed over time, influenced by the environment and past experiences. “It cannot be solved simply through punishment.” He said schools must build a culture of respect, empathy and awareness from the start, educating students about the dangers of bullying and fostering values of care and responsibility. “If we only rely on punishment, we are treating the symptoms, not the cause. Prevention must begin early, through education and awareness.” hotline for complaints related to bullying is 014-800 9325. Murugiah further recommended regular talks by police officers on bullying and gangsterism, and stressed that any attempt by school officials to cover up cases must be dealt with firmly. “When school administrators are given incentives for zero-bullying, they might not report bullying cases,” he told theSun . He also reminded parents to communicate more with their children to detect early warning signs of bullying. “Often, bullying cases go unrecognised until an extreme consequence occurs. As such, school-based monitoring and interventions need to be effectively implemented.” Murugiah said the fight against bullying requires cooperation between all stakeholders – the Education Ministry, law enforcement, school authorities, counsellors, teachers and parents. “With such cases on the increase, we need to act now and act together because the pain of a bullied teenager is very real. “Educational institutions must once again be seen as places of learning, connection and security.”

He said teachers already carry heavy workloads, from teaching and lesson planning to supervising students, managing co-curricular activities and handling administrative tasks, leaving them overstretched when expected to also serve as wardens. “Appointing full-time wardens, especially those with military or police backgrounds, is a good decision because they are already familiar with the concepts of discipline, training and structure. “With proper training, they will be well placed to safeguard student welfare.” Anuar suggested that the model should be extended to other residential schools, religious schools and tahfiz institutions at which large numbers of students live in close student affairs officers and heads of institutions, saying they should be more proactive in monitoring and intervening before cases escalate. He added that the consequences of being bullied could be devastating, with victims often withdrawing socially, suffering low self-esteem and, in some cases, developing suicidal thoughts if their trauma is left unaddressed. To combat the problem, PHA called for wider awareness of the legal consequences of bullying under the “Esha Clause” (Section 507D), and suggested introducing a subject similar to Civics to address bullying, sexual harassment and mental health through open class discussions. It also urged the government to: 0 increase the number of school counsellors; 0 install helpline phones connecting students directly to the Education Ministry anti-bullying unit or police; 0 ensure hotline numbers are prominently displayed in schools; and 0 allocate more funds for the installation and upkeep of closed-circuit television cameras, including in private schools. He added that the current WhatsApp

Group proposes anti-bullying measures