PETALING JAYA: An internal investigation is underway to determine whether there were any elements of provocation in an incident involving a student who allegedly chased two schoolmates with a penknife, says the Melaka Education Department (JPN).
In a statement on Friday (July 10), the department said the school had acted swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating, and no injuries were reported.
“Stern punishment will be imposed on students found guilty.
“Melaka JPN has instructed all schools in the state to strengthen safety monitoring measures.
“These include conducting surprise inspections and using metal detectors, while ensuring strict enforcement of the prohibition on bringing sharp objects to school,” it said.
The department also said students, parents and guardians would continue to be reminded of the school's rules regarding prohibited items.
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In addition to enhancing security measures, the department said it is focusing on comprehensively assessing students' mental and emotional well-being, including those currently undergoing treatment or requiring psychosocial support.
“The Healthy Mind (Minda Sihat) programme, which includes regular mental health screenings, counselling sessions and intervention programmes, would continue to be strengthened to support students' overall well-being,” it added.
Separately, in a Parliamentary written reply on July 10, the Education Ministry said it uses data-driven assessments, monitoring, auditing and compliance with established regulations and procedures to evaluate the actual level of safety in schools and teacher education institutes (IPGs), according to Bernama.
The ministry said the School Inspectorate assesses the effectiveness of safety measures in schools based on seven key indicators, including three-year student attendance trends, Sistem Sahsiah Diri Murid data, findings from Student Voice and Teacher Voice questionnaires, and surprise inspections.
The assessment also covers the effectiveness of collaboration between schools, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and alumni, in addition to observations on physical security measures and the functionality of CCTV systems.
"These indicators enable the ministry to obtain a comprehensive picture of the actual level of security in schools," the ministry said.
The ministry was responding to a question from Zakri Hassan (PN-Kangar) on the assessment methods and indicators used to determine the actual safety level in schools and IPGs.
It was reported that a Form One student allegedly threatened two schoolmates with a penknife during a student appreciation programme at a secondary school in Alor Gajah on Thursday (July 9).
Earlier Friday (July 10), Alor Gajah OCPD Supt Ahmad Abu Bakar said preliminary investigations found that the 13-year-old student had allegedly reacted after two schoolmates, aged 13 and 14, repeatedly threw ice at him.
He then took a penknife from his pencil case and chased one of them for about 50m towards the school's prayer room, while two other students fled in fear.
The incident, captured on the school's closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, ended without injuries after a teacher intervened and persuaded the student to surrender the weapon.
Police are investigating the case under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.
