04/11/2025

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Safety concerns push parents towards homeschooling

Roblox pledges to improve safety: Minister KUALA LUMPUR: Roblox has pledged to improve safety through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and human monitoring. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said the company also expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Malaysian government, particularly on data sharing and compliance with regulations. In a Facebook post yesterday, Yeoh raised her concerns over child safety on the popular online gaming platform. “We want a digital world that is not only fun but builds the right character and values for the next generation.” She added that platforms such as Roblox currently have over 100 million users globally, including more than one million in Malaysia. “With such a reach, the responsibility to protect young users cannot be taken lightly. “As the Youth and Sports minister and also a mother, I am concerned when I see how some online games could affect children’s behaviour and emotions.” Last Saturday, a six-year-old boy was slashed by his nine-year-old brother with a sharp object at Kampung Parit Nipah, Parit Raja in Batu Pahat. Police said the incident may have occurred after the older brother became upset when the Roblox game he was playing was interrupted. – Bernama ‘E-hailing quota bump under Budi95 soon’ PETALING JAYA: Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican said the government would soon announce a further quota increase for full-time e-hailing drivers under the Budi95 initiative. He said the revision takes into account appeals from drivers and fuel usage data submitted by e-hailing service providers. “The government, including the Transport Ministry, has met with e-hailing companies to review the adequacy of RON95 petrol subsidy eligibility for e-hailing drivers, and there has been an agreement in principle to improve the level. “The improvement will be announced in the near future and take effect in November itself.” On Oct 13, the government raised the Budi95 eligibility ceiling for full-time e-hailing drivers from 300 to 600 litres a month. Johan also said the government disagrees with calls for drastic measures to cut the national fiscal deficit, adding that the economy is expected to moderate next year. “Therefore, the government sees the need to balance its efforts to strengthen the fiscal position with its role of providing support for economic activities.” – Bernama

o Focus must remain on improving safety, well-being within all schools, says expert

the national education system, it is an alternative, not a substitute. The focus must remain on improving safety and well-being within all schools, not on parents opting out entirely.” She also said many families now join homeschooling cooperatives or community learning centres to ensure continued social interaction, adding that the broader goal should still be to reform schools so that every child feels secure, guided and valued. She said true education must go beyond academic achievement and be rooted in rahmah (compassion) and hikmah (wisdom). “Schools should be places where students feel guided and supported as they learn to realise their potential, When education is rooted in compassion and wisdom, families are more likely to see schools as safe and meaningful spaces for their children’s growth.” She said homeschooling’s rise could widen inequality, as only well-off families could afford it, adding that children may also face isolation or social learning gaps. To ensure balanced access to education, Suhailah urged the Education Ministry to strengthen safety, mental health and emotional well-being programmes in schools so that parents are not forced into homeschooling out of fear or frustration.

She welcomed the government’s revised curriculum focusing on character building and holistic growth but said its success depends on strong execution supported by trained teachers, committed school leaders and active parental involvement. She said if more families turn to homeschooling, the government must provide clear guidelines and monitoring frameworks to ensure all children, whether in school or at home, receive a well-rounded, values-based education. She also recommended extending the ministry’s school-based mental health screening initiatives to homeschooling communities and developing a social integration framework to help homeschooled students build emotional and social resilience. CPC International managing director and child clinical psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli agreed homeschooling could help in certain cases, but only if done thoughtfully and with proper planning. “Homeschooling could help some children by removing them from a harmful or aggressive environment, But it could also worsen problems if the child learns avoidance or loses the chance to practise social skills and handle conflict.”

She added that peer interaction is crucial for developing empathy, emotional regulation and conflict resolution, skills that are difficult to replicate at home without structured social opportunities. “Children learn a great deal from misunderstandings, disagreements and making up, lessons that are hard to recreate one-on-one with adults. Homeschooling could work if parents intentionally plan for regular, supervised peer contact.” She advised parents to watch for warning signs before withdrawing their children from school, such as persistent nightmares, panic attacks, self-harm, loss of appetite or psychosomatic symptoms such as frequent headaches. Noor Aishah said while homeschooling may offer emotional protection and a calmer pace, overprotection could lead to isolation, weak social skills and higher anxiety when children eventually re-enter social environments. “Homeschooling doesn’t necessarily solve the problem, it could create new ones. Parents must be sure they are ready to take on the role of teacher, planner and emotional guide. “Protect your child but don’t isolate them. Emotional safety must go hand in hand with social development.”

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to media freedom and constructive engagement with journalists, a day after apologising for publicly reprimanding a reporter in Bukit Bintang last week. Nga met with representatives from major media organisations yesterday in an informal breakfast session aimed at strengthening cooperation between the government and the press in communicating national policies under the Malaysia Madani agenda. The meeting was attended by representatives from the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ), the Malaysian Media Council and Gerakan Media Merdeka. He said in a Facebook post the unity government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “has always upheld media freedom and valued the media’s vital role in informing the public and fostering transparency”. “The Madani government has never sought to restrict or undermine the media. Instead, we believe in building mutual respect and understanding.” He added that cooperation and mutual trust between the ministry and the media are crucial to ensure government policies are PETALING JAYA: As violent incidents among Malaysian students continue to make headlines, parents are increasingly questioning the safety and emotional climate of schools, and some are turning to homeschooling as an alternative. International Islamic University Malaysia Kulliyyah of Education Assoc Prof Dr Suhailah Hussien said, however, the rise in student violence points to deeper, systemic issues within the national education system rather than isolated school incidents. “It signals the need for serious attention to how we define and deliver education for today’s generation, especially in shaping values, emotions and character.” She said while homeschooling offers a more controlled and flexible learning environment, it should not be seen as a replacement for mainstream schooling. “Homeschooling cannot replace Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Nga reaffirms govt commitment to media freedom

Nga said the ministry and the media share a mission; to deliver clear, accurate and accessible information to the public while promoting transparency and good governance. – PIC COURTESY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY

communicated clearly to the public. He also said the dialogue served as an open platform for exchanging ideas and perspectives to enhance synergy between the ministry and media practitioners, with the shared goal of advancing the Malaysia Madani framework for the people’s welfare and national prosperity. Among those present were NUJ president Low Boon Tat, NUJ secretary-general Teh Arthira and the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Nor Azman Taib. Nga said both the ministry and the media share a common mission;

to deliver clear, accurate and accessible information to the public while promoting transparency and good governance. The session came a day after he issued an apology over a video widely-circulated online showing him reprimanding a reporter, which sparked public criticism and calls for greater professionalism in dealing with the media. He said he accepted the feedback “with an open heart” and reiterated his respect for press freedom. “If any members of the media felt

upset or hurt by my words, I sincerely apologise. “Those who know me over the past 30 years know I have always respected freedom, especially freedom of expression.” He added that his focus remains on nation-building and upholding Malaysia’s dignity, and that he is open to meeting the reporter involved to resolve the matter amicably. “I never intended to offend anyone, especially journalists, who are the backbone of the Madani government’s information network.”