Selangor top cop proposes move to curb misconduct at school
SHAH ALAM: Caning should be reintroduced as punishment in schools gradually amid rising concern over bullying and criminal misconduct in schools, says Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar.
“It must also be done in a controlled manner and proper safeguards must be in place to prevent misuse of power among teachers,” said the Selangor police chief, who argued that this form of corporal punishment must also be governed by clear procedures.
“Caning has various categories, including the method, the quantity (number of strokes), and this should be reconsidered before being reintroduced.
“People learn from experience, and this is more effective than just talking or communicating without experiencing it firsthand,” he told reporters after attending the anti-bullying campaign at the state police headquarters here yesterday.
Comm Shazeli said 108 students were detained for various offences in Selangor between January and October last year.
“The number has increased to 122 during the same period this year, with cases ranging from bullying, extortion and injuries to fights, with gang-related elements infiltrating schools,” he said, adding that such cases occur in both primary and secondary schools.
“The most concerning are fights involving gangs.
School safety: Comm Shazeli (fourth from left) speaking to participants at the anti-bullying campaign at the state police headquarters in Shah Alam. — KK SHAM/The Star
“Upon examining such fights and disturbances, there is often an external element, particularly gangsterism,” he added.
Comm Shazeli said that there is a lack of a fear factor among students nowadays due to certain disciplinary actions being reduced or abolished.
“Such measures should have been made available to teachers to enforce discipline and manage the school.”
Comm Shazeli also stressed the importance of vigilance among teachers and parents, particularly on serious incidents that involve injuries or gang activity.
“Social issues in schools have reached a level where continuous monitoring and collaboration are necessary,” he said.
On the anti-bullying campaign, Comm Shazeli said it was a joint effort between Selangor police and the Selangor Education Department.
“The initiative seeks to tackle school bullying and youth crime comprehensively, starting with parental involvement at home, emphasising that parents play a critical role in shaping their children’s morality, emotions and behaviour.
“About 700 participants, including members of the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), teachers and other stakeholders, were involved in the event, underscoring the urgency of preventing and addressing school-related offences,” he said.
On another matter, Comm Shazeli said the police have yet to seek Interpol’s assistance in issuing a red notice on the founders – a husband and wife team – of the eHati marriage enrichment programme.
He said the police already identified the country where the duo have fled to.
“At this stage, we are working with our counterpart to track them, thus we have yet to ask for Interpol’s assistance,” he said, adding that the police’s counterpart abroad have been very cooperative in the efforts to locate them.
Comm Shazeli said the Selangor Islamic Religious Department have also contacted the police with regards to the arrest warrant issued by the Syariah High Court.
