28/08/2025

THURSDAY | AUG 28, 2025

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Ű BY AZURA ABAS, QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI, IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE AND FAIZ RUZMAN

Bullying sparks renewed debate on caning in schools

Student violence surges across learning institutions KUALA LUMPUR: Bullying cases have emerged as the hot topic of late due to incidents resulting in the deaths of students, from secondary schools right up to universities. On Tuesday, the Education Ministry disclosed that bullying cases in schools have continued to rise, with 7,681 incidents throughout last year, up from the 6,528 cases in 2023. In a written reply to Klang MP Ganabatirau Veraman, the ministry said the data was obtained from its student self-discipline system which tracks student discipline across all government schools. Of all the cases reported last year, 1,992 involved primary schools while 5,689 occurred in secondary schools. Ganabatirau had also asked the ministry to explain measures taken to prevent the issue from spreading and becoming a harmful culture. One recent case is the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was a victim of alleged bullying. The case was first reported on July 16 when she was found unconscious in a drain near a school hostel in Papar, Sabah, at about 3am. The case continues to draw national attention as a coroner’s inquest is scheduled to begin on Sept 3. Five teenagers have been charged with verbally abusing the victim. The ministry claimed that it has adopted a strict no-compromise stance on bullying in schools, adding that continuous efforts are required to eliminate such misconduct. It noted that mechanisms have long been in place, such as the safe school programme, implemented in 2002, which sought to create a secure school environment free from internal or external disruptions. This was later strengthened by the standard operating procedure, introduced in 2011, which requires immediate reporting of disciplinary offences to the ministry’s top management to ensure swift action. The ministry has also issued comprehensive guidelines on the management of bullying in schools, setting out definitions, procedures and consequences for perpetrators and victims. It also said legal awareness programmes have been introduced to educate school leaders about their responsibilities under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 (Act 792) and that the Prime Minister’s Department’s legal affairs division is studying an anti-bullying law to be presented to the Cabinet soon.

PETALING JAYA: Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid has urged the government to reintroduce caning in schools to curb rising cases of bullying, arguing that it should be seen as corrective education rather than punishment. Rosol said Islamic teachings emphasise corrective discipline, provided it does not cause harm. “In the past, we were often caned and it taught us discipline. But today, whenever parents complain, the ministry sides with them. Teachers are losing their authority to educate,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. He expressed concern over the

o MP pushes for corrective discipline, while educators and psychologists caution against lasting harm as the rotan fuels fear, violence and trauma

“Slogans rarely change behaviour. Real progress depends on nurturing positive school climates, closer teacher-student ties, peer intervention, counselling and active parental involvement.” Today’s tabling sets the stage for a charged debate in the Dewan Rakyat. MPs will press the government on whether it is ready to treat bullying, not as adolescent mischief to be punished, but as a child-protection crisis demanding urgent, systemic solutions. For grieving families and anxious parents, the stakes are high – whether Parliament finally acts to break the cycle or risks yet more preventable tragedies in Malaysia’s schools. teachers need different approaches, adding: “Islam itself stresses educating without causing harm.” He also linked bullying to violent content in films and series on streaming platforms such as Netflix. The debate over corporal punishment is not new. For decades, the cane symbolised the proverb – spare the rod, spoil the child – but critics say its time has passed. Experts, including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Anuar Ahmad had told theSun in February that caning is outdated and harmful. Corporal punishment, he said, does not instil discipline, adding that it will only create fear that can lead to stress, depression and long-term psychological issues. Students who are frequently caned may grow up believing physical violence is the answer to their problems, he said. He also noted that many misbehave despite repeated caning and research shows children exposed to frequent beatings are more likely to use violence as adults. Instead, he urged early intervention and guidance. A teacher from SJK (T) Vivekananda, Thenmoly Rajan shared a more nuanced view with theSun earlier this year. While she acknowledged caning once worked for some students, she said its effects today are largely negative. She said for some it works, but for others it creates fear and resentment, adding that firm instructions and consistent interaction with students usually suffice. She regularly checks on her students’ well-being, believing emotional support is key. While she sees counselling as useful for secondary students, she is less convinced of its effectiveness for younger children. Still, she noted that even parents who oppose caning expect teachers to maintain discipline.

practice already being in place at Mara junior science colleges. “Our children are the nation’s future leaders. If we fail to address this now, the country’s future is at risk.” Rosol stressed that not all students learn the same way and

Education Ministry’s handling of bullying, pointing to recent student deaths and accused it of appearing closed to outside views. The law maker also criticised the government’s initial resistance to appointing retired soldiers and policemen as wardens, despite the

Parliament is once again debating the maxim ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’, although critics believe its time has run out. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Parliamentarians to push for stronger safeguards against peer intimidation PETALING JAYA: School bullying in Malaysia has too often ended in tragedy – from the 2017 torture and death of naval cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain to last year’s fatal dormitory assault of a 17-year-old boy. Kasih have been criticised as intimidating and inaccessible for children. Many victims fear their reports will be dismissed or worse, that schools will retaliate once complaints surface. boost school safety, including closed circuit television (CCTV) installation in selected boarding schools. Universiti Sains Malaysia’s criminologist Datuk Dr P. live on campus or go home daily.” On the ministry’s new “We Hate Bullying” pledge, recited nationwide, Sundramoorthy was sceptical.

repeated assaults, some filmed and circulated online, raising doubts over whether students are safe in hostels. Parents in several cases accused school authorities of being slow to act, deepening the trauma for victims. Civil society groups say the problem is structural. Parents’ associations argue that bullying is too often dismissed as “rough play” until disaster strikes. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged schools to stop burdening teachers with warden duties, saying the double workload weakens both classroom teaching and hostel supervision. It recommends trained external wardens, screened through strict background checks and psychometric tests. The Education Ministry has, meanwhile, approved RM3 million to

Sundramoorthy welcomed the move, saying cameras can deter bullies and provide crucial evidence. “Installing CCTV shows intent to protect students, especially in dormitories and common areas where bullying goes unreported,” he told theSun . He. however, said surveillance is not a cure-all. “Without clear policies on placement, access to footage and data storage, CCTV risks eroding trust. And without proper upkeep, cameras quickly become useless.” He added that safety should not be limited to hostels: “Every child deserves protection, whether they

The committee is also considering the proposed Anti-Bullying Act, which could create a dedicated tribunal to handle student cases. Such a tribunal would mark a clear shift – treating bullying not merely as a disciplinary lapse but as a child protection issue requiring legal and institutional safeguards. Yeo, however, has cautioned against relying on punishment alone. Without counselling and support, she warned, victims often become perpetrators themselves, fuelling a cycle of violence. The urgency is clear. Boarding schools in particular have seen

Parliament will today confront the issue when the Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development tables a statement expected to push the government into systemic reform. Committee chairperson Yeo Bee Yin will present recommendations drawn from weeks of hearings with ministries, NGOs and child-rights groups. Central to the proposals is a national, child-friendly portal for bullying complaints, designed to give students a safe, direct channel to seek help. Existing platforms such as Talian