KUALA LUMPUR: The government and online platforms should tighten controls over sales of potentially dangerous items after the Bandar Utama school stabbing, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (pic).
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the incident is a wake-up-call exposing serious gaps in marketplace monitoring and regulation.
“The ease of buying knives and sharp objects online without age checks poses grave danger, especially when such items reach minors,” he said on Wednesday (Oct 22).
Lee said convenience, anonymity and easy access must not come at the expense of safety.
“Stricter regulations and stronger monitoring is needed to prevent dangerous or prohibited items being sold to minors,” he said.
“Online platforms and delivery providers must share responsibility to ensure their systems do not enable harmful transactions,” added Lee.
He said relevant ministries should work closely with e-commerce platforms on several measures.
These include age and identity verification for purchases of sharp or dangerous items.
“Blacklist and remove listings that pose clear safety risks. Impose penalties on sellers and platforms that fail to comply with safety or content guidelines,” said Lee.
“Strengthen consumer awareness campaigns for parents and young people on the risks of buying such items online,” he added.
Lee said schools should be alert to behavioural changes and improve mental health and counselling support.
He said this helps prevent violent behaviour and builds emotional resilience.
“Prevention must begin at home and in the classroom with parental supervision, bag screening and early intervention for at risk youth,” he said.
Lee said safeguarding public safety in the digital age needs cooperation between government, industry, schools and parents.
He added technology should be a tool for progress, not one that endangers lives.
