06/10/2025

MONDAY | OCT 6, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

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Audits on over 700 schools nationwide completed

“Punitive approach alone would not solve the problem,” she said. She added that the ministry is also working closely with police to address bullying cases, including those categorised as criminal offences. Fadhlina said the ministry will intensify advocacy efforts to educate students on the impact of bullying, including mental bullying, which could seriously affect their emotional wellbeing, especially following the enforcement of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025. “The effects of mental bullying are significant and could lead to more worrying consequences if not curbed from the beginning,” she said. – Bernama Internet quality in seven key areas to be enhanced KULAI: The Communications Ministry is focusing on improving internet coverage and quality in seven key areas to ensure more stable and comprehensive connectivity nationwide. Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said the targeted areas comprise event venues, public higher education institutions, military camps, stadiums, tourist destinations, hospitals, as well as highways. She said 17 event venues have been identified, all of which have been fully upgraded. A total of 81 public higher education institutions nationwide have been selected for upgrades following discussions with the Higher Education Ministry. “For military camps, 73 locations have been identified for internet coverage upgrades, and the project is at the request-for-proposal stage. “For stadiums, one location has been completed, while two others are in progress. “For tourist areas, 23 locations have been identified for improvement works, with six already completed. As for hospitals, upgrades are planned at 20 locations and seven have been completed. “For highways, seven sites have been identified, with one completed to date,” she said after officiating at the closing ceremony of Run for the Future, a corporate social responsibility event held at Hutan Bandar Kulai yesterday. Teo said the initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and telecommunications providers, aims to ensure satisfactory internet access at all hotspot areas, especially during major events or peak visitor periods. On another matter, Teo commended the Kuala Lumpur Tower management for including Iban and Kadazan languages on its Welcome Wall, alongside Tamil. She said the move reflects the Malaysia Madani spirit, which celebrates the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity. “When the issue of Tamil language signage (arose) recently, the management took immediate action to improve the display. “I also suggested adding Iban and Kadazan , as they represent the identity of communities in Sabah and Sarawak,” she said – Bernama

BUKIT The Education Ministry has completed safety audits on more than 700 schools nationwide, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. She said the auditing process, which involves both primary and secondary schools, is ongoing and expected to be completed within the next two months. “This effort is very important for us to ensure that schools receive special attention, particularly in terms of safety. “The audit will help us identify key areas that require immediate improvement and guide us in developing long-term safety measures for the wellbeing of students and staff,” she said after launching an anti-bullying campaign at Yayasan Aman in Penanti yesterday. Fadhlina said the safety audit exercise, led by the School Inspectorate and Quality Assurance Division, was initiated following several incidents in schools and is aimed at identifying risks related to infrastructure, supervision and student welfare. Weekly progress reports are being submitted to ensure swift action on critical findings. She said school safety is being addressed holistically under the ministry’s Safe School Framework, which is among the proposals included in the Budget 2026 submission. “Within this framework, we have requested consideration for a significant increase in the number of counselling teachers and for expanded access to mental health support programmes in schools. “We hope the Safe School Framework will receive due attention in the upcoming Budget as part of our commitment to building a safer and more supportive learning environment,” she said. The Safe School Framework, announced earlier this year, outlines measures to address issues such as bullying, vandalism, infrastructure maintenance and psychological wellbeing through MERTAJAM:

o Initiative helps to identify key areas requiring immediate improvement and development of long-term measures for wellbeing of students and staff: Education minister

Fadhlina said school safety is being addressed holistically under the Safe School Framework, which is among the proposals included in the Budget 2026 submission. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

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“The investigation is ongoing and we are giving our full support to police. We hope the public will allow the authorities to complete their work without speculation,” she said. Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad said investigators have recorded statements from 35 individuals including teachers, school staff, students, medical personnel and family members of the deceased. He said a post-mortem carried out at the Rembau Hospital revealed pressure marks on the neck but no other external injuries. The case is being investigated under Section 507C of the Penal

Code, relating to bullying and harassment. The investigation papers are expected to be referred to the deputy public prosecutor once all findings are compiled. Authorities have also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information on social media. The 10-year-old boy was found unconscious in the school toilet at about 1.15pm last Wednesday and was pronounced dead after being taken to a nearby private medical centre. His family has asked for privacy and said they would leave the investigation to the authorities.

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authorities, Bernama reported Fadhlina said safety cannot be viewed solely from a physical standpoint but must also take into account emotional and psychological aspects, especially as students return to fully normalised schooling after the pandemic period. On the recent tragedy involving a Year Four pupil who was found unconscious in a school restroom in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan, Fadhlina said the ministry is awaiting the outcome of police investigations and has extended full cooperation to the authorities.

Safety measures to be prioritised at sporting events for students BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Education Ministry will prioritise strengthening safety measures during school sports events to prevent a recurrence of incidents such as the death of a student during the National Full Residential School Rugby Seven-a-Side Tournament last Friday. according to the type of sport, as well as ensuring that medical teams are present at every match,” she said after launching the Anti-Bullying Roadshow at Yayasan Aman in Penanti yesterday. Forensic Department found that the cause of death was internal bleeding from a torn right hip muscle. The incident has been classified as a sudden death case. said the situation remains under control. Fadhlina said all standard operating procedures relating to bullying cases must be given due attention and awareness must be promoted to ensure the protection and rights of students. “The approach currently

She added that the ministry constantly reminds students and coaches on the importance of maintaining strict attention to safety. On Saturday, Ipoh police chief ACP Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said 16-year-old Muhammad Fauzan Mohd Sulaiman from Johor, reportedly collapsed at about 10.30am while preparing to enter the field for the second half of the match. A post-mortem by the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital

On another matter, Fadhlina said the ministry is awaiting further instructions or recommendations from the Health Ministry regarding the possible reintroduction of face mask use in schools, following reports of a rise in influenza cases. Earlier, social media reports had claimed that several schools, including in Penang, made mask wearing mandatory to curb the spread of influenza, although state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the ministry will also ensure that medical teams are stationed at every sporting event held in schools. “Students have long been reminded to prioritise their health, and we have also asked parents to share relevant health information with the school. “Our focus will be on comprehensive safety measures

adopted by the ministry is an educational one, which may not be popular with some people, as many still believe that caning is the solution. But it is not that simple. “We can take disciplinary action such as suspension or expelling students from school. “But eventually, they will return to the education system under the ministry to be re-educated.