15/10/2025

WEDNESDAY | OCT 15, 2025

3

Moral crisis brewing in schools

and urged the public not to speculate. He said police are treating the case strictly as a criminal matter and will provide updates as investigations progress. “As a father who has daughters, I cannot imagine what the victim’s parents are going through. “I extend my deepest condolences to them and pray they are given strength to endure this horrific tragedy.” Amirudin said schools must be the safest place for children, adding that the state government will work closely with the police, the Education Ministry and local communities to strengthen safety measures in all schools across Selangor. incident should force us to examine the gaps that allowed it to happen.” Srividhya said moral panic solves nothing – honest, ongoing conversations about sex, consent and respect must start early and continue through adolescence. “At the same time, schools need to strengthen supervision, teacher training and reporting mechanisms, so prevention is built on awareness and accountability, not fear,” she added. Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said discipline in schools was once swift, clear and backed by parents, but many students today see rules as negotiable and consequences as optional. “Teachers once held moral authority, second only to parents. Today, that authority is often undermined by social media ridicule, grade obsession and a system that prioritises academics over character.” She said it was alarming that such an act could occur in a place meant to be safe and guided by ethics. “When a crime happens in broad daylight on school grounds, it raises questions about discipline, supervision and moral grounding. It reflects a lapse in empathy, respect and accountability – values which are central to education.” Noor Azimah urged a review of the disciplinary framework and moral education system, saying discipline must go beyond punishment to include consistent moral guidance, parental support and a whole-school approach to values.

o Experts say lack of fear of consequences, parental leniency reflect shifting values, urge stricter oversight and awareness campaigns to curb decline in social norms among youths

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upon conviction. In Malaysia, the minimum age of criminal responsibility is 10 years. The victim’s body was removed from the school compound at about 12.55pm and sent to the University Malaya Medical Centre for a post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death. Police are also recording statements from several witnesses, including the victim’s friends and teachers, to assist in the investigation. Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Ismail said the incident occurred at 9.30am within the school compound and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. “The motive is still under investigation and further details will be provided by the Selangor police chief in due course,” Khalid told reporters after launching the Anti Bullying Campaign earlier. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the incident did not involve any racial elements have been temporarily moved to the district education office to ensure a transparent and independent probe. “A special committee has been set up to investigate all aspects of the case thoroughly, transparently and fairly,” he said at a special press conference. Mohd Azam said the Education and social media. “This kind of exposure can warp a young person’s sense of consent, respect and accountability, making harmful behaviour seem normal.” Because much of this content reflects different cultural norms, she urged stricter regulation to ensure local children are not absorbing values that clash with Malaysia’s moral standards. “Society’s collective behaviour shapes how justice and morality are perceived. It’s crucial that our system balances opportunity, recovery and punishment,” she said. CRIB Foundation co-chairperson Srividhya Ganapathy said the incident underscored the need for joint public education campaigns by the police, Education Ministry and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry on the legal and moral consequences of producing or sharing child sexual abuse material. She said the campaigns should highlight that boys can be prosecuted for sex with minors and promote respect, empathy and digital responsibility. “The act did not signal total moral collapse, but a dangerous illusion of impunity. Even if isolated, such an

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: A quiet crisis is brewing in schools – students no longer fear consequences, teachers are losing authority and parents are quicker to shield their children than shape them. University of Nottingham Malaysia Assoc Prof Dr Siti Khadijah Zainal Badri said yesterday’s school incident in which a female student was stabbed to death and other episodes of violence such as the gang-rape in classrrom, reflected a worrying psychological shift among some youths. “When such a heinous act occurs in broad daylight and under the nose of the system, it signals something is deeply wrong,” she said, adding that such behaviour may stem from moral decay, weak enforcement, peer influence or desensitisation to sexual content. Siti Khadijah said the perpetrators’ apparent indifference to consequences suggest a deeper psychological issue, aggravated by constant exposure to explicit material on streaming platforms, video games PETALING JAYA: The body of the female student, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds near a school toilet at SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4), was discovered after a teacher heard screams and had rushed to investigate. Police have arrested a 14-year-old boy in connection with the fatal stabbing. Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Shamsudin Mamat said two sharp objects believed to have been used in the killing were recovered at the scene. “Initial findings do not indicate any elements of bullying. Both the victim and suspect are believed to have known each other as they studied at the same school, although in different forms.” He said the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The suspect will be brought to the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court today for a remand application. The charge carries the death penalty or imprisonment of 30 to 40 years and not less than 12 strokes of the cane, PETALING JAYA: Classes at the school where a student was fatally stabbed yesterday will go on as usual, with education authorities assuring that the investigation will not disrupt learning. Education director-general Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said administrators involved in the case

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“This issue will be prioritised in the upcoming state executive council meeting, where several measures – including enhanced safety protocols and mental health support for students – will be discussed to ensure the safety of all our children.” – By HARITH KAMAL Education Ministry moves to strengthen safety in learning environments

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psychological and intervention programmes for affected students, teachers and staff. He also urged the public to refrain from sharing photos or videos of the incident stressing that the case involves minors and is protected under child-related laws. – By HARITH KAMAL support

by the police soon. “We do not consider these cases as isolated incidents. The ministry will double its efforts to address existing weaknesses to ensure school environments are safe for all children.” He added that a team of counsellors and guidance teachers has been deployed to provide

Ministry views the incident seriously, describing it as a “strong wake-up call” to strengthen student safety and mental wellbeing in schools. He said the ministry is working closely with the police to enhance security measures in schools nationwide, with additional safety controls expected to be announced