KUALA LUMPUR: A surge in troubling incidents involving students, including a recent murder, sexual assault and bullying, is a growing crisis that demands urgent national attention, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said these incidents point to emotional instability, moral decay and social disconnection among youths.
ALSO READ: PM: Major Cabinet decision today on alarming school incidents
"These are issues that can no longer be ignored.
"These incidents should serve as a wake-up call to the nation to look seriously at the mental and emotional well-being of students," he said when contacted on Friday (Oct 17).
Lee stressed that today’s students are growing up in an environment of intense academic pressure, social media addiction and weakening family communication.
"Many are emotionally immature and lack the coping skills needed to deal with stress, anger and rejection," he said.
He warned that emotional immaturity, coupled with the negative influence of social media, is driving impulsive, aggressive and even violent behaviour among youths.
"Constant exposure to toxic content, online bullying and the glorification of violence on digital platforms are shaping distorted attitudes and normalising harmful behaviour," he added.
ALSO READ: We must look inward to understand juvenile violence
Lee urged schools to go beyond academic performance and place greater emphasis on character building, moral values, empathy and emotional control.
He said there is an urgent need to deploy more trained counsellors in schools who can identify and support students showing signs of distress, anger, or emotional instability before problems escalate into tragedy.
Parents, he emphasised, play a crucial role in monitoring their children’s online activities and offering emotional guidance.
"They must communicate openly, teach empathy and respect, and spend quality time with their children," he said.
ALSO READ: Sharing identities of minors in legal cases a criminal offence, caution lawyers
Beyond schools and families, Lee said society must stop glorifying violence and unhealthy content that can influence young minds.
He called for a "whole-of-community" approach involving parents, teachers, NGOs, religious leaders and the media to restore moral grounding and build emotional resilience among students.
"Without immediate intervention, these troubling trends may lead to a generation that is academically capable but emotionally and morally fragile.
"Our NGO stands ready to work with stakeholders to promote safer and healthier environments for all students," he added.
