Schools must remain the safest place for students to learn, with bullying and all other safety-related incidents treated seriously, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Saifuddin said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has deployed School Liaison Officers (PPS), while officers from the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) have also been assigned to help monitor safety and security in schools nationwide.
“If it involves safety issues, the police will do their part. We have School Liaison Officers made up of police personnel, and officers from AADK have also been assigned to schools.
“They are responsible for monitoring all aspects of school safety, including bullying incidents. It’s not just about general security, but also ensuring bullying cases are addressed,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters on Wednesday after visiting the site of a fire that destroyed the boys’ hostel at Sekolah Menengah Agama Tarbiah Diniah.
Saifuddin was responding to questions about recent bullying cases involving students, including an incident in Cheras, where four 14-year-old boys were arrested for allegedly assaulting another teenager, leaving the victim seriously injured.
He stressed that the authorities’ responsibilities extend beyond bullying cases and cover all incidents involving student safety.
“This includes bullying as well as other incidents, such as students falling at school, like the recent case in Kuala Nerang, which is still under police investigation.
“Whether it involves bullying or other accidents, all matters related to students’ safety fall under the responsibility of the police,” he said.
In a separate development, Saifuddin announced that 116 students affected by the hostel fire would each receive RM500 in immediate financial assistance to help replace belongings lost in the blaze.
He said some students managed to escape with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
Saifuddin also said he had informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about the incident and requested an immediate allocation of RM200,000 to construct temporary facilities for the affected students.
In addition, his office has contributed RM10,000 in emergency aid to the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG).
Meanwhile, the National Registration Department (JPN) has deployed a mobile service unit to the school to help students who lost their identity documents during the fire obtain replacements without having to visit a JPN office.
