SHAH ALAM: Caning should be gradually reintroduced as a punishment in schools, with proper safeguards, amid growing concerns over bullying and criminal misconduct, says Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar.
Comm Shazeli stated that a controlled approach is necessary to prevent misuse of power among teachers.
"Caning punishment has various categories, including the method and number of strikes, and this should be reconsidered before being reintroduced," he said after attending an anti-bullying campaign at the state police headquarters on Thursday (Nov 27).
He added that learning through real experience is more effective than just communication: "People learn from experience and the feelings they go through, which is more effective than just talking or communicating without experiencing it firsthand."
Between January and October last year, 108 students in Selangor were detained for various offences.
The number increased to 122 students during the same period this year, with cases ranging from bullying, extortion, and injury to fights involving gang-related elements.
Comm Shazeli stressed that such cases occur in both primary and secondary schools, and the most concerning are fights tied to gangsterism.
"Upon examining fights and disturbances, there is often an element from outside, particularly gangsterism," he said.
He attributed the lack of a "fear factor" among students to the reduction or abolition of certain disciplinary enforcement actions.
"Such measures should have been available to teachers to enforce discipline and manage the school," he added.
He also highlighted the importance of vigilance among teachers and parents, particularly regarding serious incidents involving injuries or gang activity.
"Social issues in schools have reached a level where continuous monitoring and collaboration are necessary,” he said.
The anti-bullying campaign, a joint effort between Selangor Police and the Selangor Education Department, aims to tackle school bullying and youth crime comprehensively, starting with parental involvement. About 700 participants, including Parent Teacher Association (PTA) members, teachers, and stakeholders, took part in the event, underscoring the urgency of preventing and addressing school-related offences.
