School safety issues: How military veterans can help

MCA wishes to raise a matter of profound public concern regarding the safety and security of our schools. Recent tragic incidents, including serious assaults and the tragic loss of young lives, have intensely shaken the public's confidence in our educational institutions as safe havens for our children. We are deeply concerned that there may be many more affected individuals who have yet to come forward. This is a clear indication that the structures underpinning our school safety mechanisms are under significant strain.

The government's recent steps to strengthen police patrols in schools are a welcome and a necessary measure. However, the integration of School Liaison Officers (Pegawai Perhubungan Sekolah [PPS]) from the Royal Malaysia Police into the school ecosystem may present certain challenges. As these dedicated officers have their own core duties requiring their full attention and energy, their patrols can understandably be irregular and their communication with school administrations may not always be consistent.