GEORGE TOWN: In an effort to make schools a safer environment, Tanjung MP Lim Hui Ying has ensured that all five secondary schools in her constituency are equipped with functioning closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.
Lim said 75 CCTV units had been installed at three schools which previously did not have sufficient coverage, at a cost of about RM95,000.
The three schools are SMK Westlands, SMK St Xavier’s and SMKA (P) Al-Mashoor.
“The other two schools, Hutchings College (KTE) and Methodist Girls’ School, already had CCTV systems that complied with Education Ministry guidelines.
“However, the other three schools did not have sufficient CCTV coverage, so I took the initiative to provide assistance by installing 75 CCTV units at the three schools,” she told reporters after after the Zero Tolerance for Violence: Respect the Boundaries programme at SMKA (P) Al-Mashoor on Wednesday (Sept 30)
Lim said the initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Timur Laut District Education Office (PPD).
She said inspections were conducted at all five secondary schools following several incidents reported at schools.
“We have now ensured that all five secondary schools have functioning CCTV systems.
“Some schools already had CCTV, such as SMK St Xavier’s, but not all the cameras were functioning. There is no point having CCTV if it is not working,” she said.
Lim said ensuring the safety of students was among her priorities, stressing that education remained important in providing young people with a conducive environment to learn.
“For me, education is extremely important. We will do as much as possible to ensure our students are not only safe, but are provided with a conducive environment in which to learn,” she said.
Earlier in her speech, she said government remains committed to ensuring that children and adolescents receive adequate protection so they can live safely and with dignity, free from all forms of violence and harassment.
She said one of the key measures taken is the enactment of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 (Act 840), which provides a more comprehensive framework to address sexual harassment and strengthen protection for affected individuals.
"Under Act 840, the Tribunal for Anti-Sexual Harassment (TAGS) was established as an alternative avenue for victims of sexual harassment to seek redress through a mechanism that is simpler, faster and more affordable," she said.
She added the tribunal provides an alternative to conventional legal channels, allowing complaints involving sexual harassment to be addressed through a more accessible process.
Some 350 Form Three students from 14 secondary school in northeast district attended in theprogramme
Similar programme was organised at Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Chung Ling in Butterworth on Tuesday (Sept 29).
The programme aims to educate the children, on understanding their personal boundaries and knowing where to draw the line when faced with situations such as sexual harassment.
