KUALA LUMPUR: A Penang Umno delegate has called on the government to reinstate caning as a formal disciplinary measure in schools nationwide, citing growing concerns over legal risks faced by teachers in the classroom.
The Batu Kawan Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Noor bin Ahmad said he received feedback from teachers at the grassroots level within the party in Penang.
He said the majority of them are now educating students without using the cane, as they risk facing a legal letter appointed by the student's guardian or parents.
"It is true that this letter of demand is not a punishment, but it feels like a form of intimidation against teachers. Some even demand monetary compensation involving excessive amounts of money.
"Teachers are even pressured to apologise to students if they do not want to be dragged to court," he said in his speech while debating the president's policy speech at the Umno General Assembly here on Saturday (Jan 17).
However, he said public servants are almost immune to all these risks when carrying out their core duties, based on the Public Authorities Protection Act 1948.
"Under the Government Proceedings Act 1956, if a public servant is sued for negligence while performing their duties, the Government as the employer is responsible for paying damages, not the public servant personally, unless it is proven that there was malicious intent or gross misconduct," he said.
"I recall that during our school days, we were afraid to complain at home for fear of being beaten again, because parents consistently sided with the school institution and the teachers who caned us," he said
He then proposed to Umno to restore the authority of “disciplinary caning” to all Malaysian teachers.
"If necessary, the drafting of specific legislation or the strengthening of relevant legal provisions to restore teachers’ confidence in carrying out their core duties should be discussed and implemented," he said.
