A Malaysian police chief has called for the wider imposition of caning in schools, arguing that the “fear factor” among students has eroded at a time when violent incidents, including bullying-related deaths, are drawing alarm in the country.
Selangor state police chief Shazeli Kahar said caning should be considered in a phased and “controlled” manner to prevent teacher abuse, and was needed to address what he described as a worrying rise in student-related crime across the state.
His remarks follow several high-profile cases inside educational institutions this year, including the killing of a student in Bandar Utama in October, which prompted a heated national debate on school safety. The incident also followed other reports of serious bullying, group assaults and intimidation involving students in different states.
Speaking at an anti-bullying event in Selangor, Shazeli said police had arrested over 120 primary and secondary school pupils between January and October.
“There are various categories of offences … extortion, causing injury, fights and students using words they shouldn’t. Some cases even involve elements of gangsterism,” he told reporters on Thursday. “What worries us most is when fights escalate into riots… If there are gang elements, it becomes even more concerning.”
Shazeli said disciplinary measures in schools had weakened over the years, reducing teachers’ deterrent powers.
