The news about the gang rape incident at a school in Melaka enraged many Malaysians, and UMNO Youth Chief, Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh, also shared his views on the shocking case.
It’s high time for teachers in Malaysian schools to have the power to cane students who violate the rules with a rotan, Dr Akmal said in his statement today (11 October).
Only headmasters or teachers who have been given authority can cane students with a rotan
In February this year, the Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, said that caning with a rotan can only be carried out by headmasters or teachers who have been given authority, and cannot be imposed on female students. The implementation of the punishment was also subject to strict guidelines as stated in the Education Regulations (School Discipline) 1959.
It should also not be carried out in public or at school assembly sites, as detailed in Professional Circular Letter No. 7/2003, saying that education is the most important aspect in building a harmonious and viable society.
A Malaysian teacher was also remanded in May for allegedly caning a 5-year-old student with a rotan for skipping netball practice.
Akmal, however, thinks that sparing the rod will only spoil students
“If they don’t feel fearful, that’s how the children will lose respect, and that’s how they behave rudely.”
In his statement, Akmal also clarified that “caning with a rotan is not murder” and said that the punishment aims to remind the students about the mistakes they make, so that they can reflect on them and learn from the lesson.
The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) in Melaka revealed that a 15-year-old female student was gang-raped by two students who are both 17 years old, while their peers filmed the act and “guarded” the area.
All 4 suspects, who were scheduled to sit for the SPM examination in December, were arrested and are currently under remand.
Do you think a child will be spoiled if guardians or parents spare the rod?
Also read: 12yo Girl Raped by 2 Men After Sneaking Out of Kedah Religious School at 2 AM to Watch Illegal Race
