Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed personal support for the controlled use of caning in schools as a disciplinary measure, while acknowledging that public opinion on the issue remains deeply divided.
Speaking during a Dewan Rakyat session, Anwar said he believed caning, when carried out under strict guidelines, could serve as an effective deterrent against rising cases of bullying and indiscipline among students. He cautioned, however, that the practice must be tightly regulated to prevent abuse.
The prime minister explained that his stance stems from his own experience as a teacher in the past, where light caning on the palm was occasionally used to correct behaviour, never with the intent to humiliate or harm. He emphasised that any reinstatement of the practice should exclude public punishment and be exercised only under clear disciplinary protocols.
Anwar’s comments come amid heightened concern over a surge in violent incidents in Malaysian schools, prompting renewed debate over whether traditional disciplinary tools such as caning should return. Parents have voiced alarm over student safety, while education activists and human rights advocates continue to warn that corporal punishment risks inflicting psychological and physical harm if misused.
The Children’s Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), Farah Nini Dusuki, previously stated that emotional impulses during punishment could lead to serious injury, calling instead for the adoption of counselling, restorative justice, and character-building programmes as more effective alternatives.
In response to the growing outcry, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek recently announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening safety in schools, including installing CCTV cameras, enhancing police collaboration, and proposing an age restriction on social media usage to protect minors.
While addressing the broader discussion, Anwar said that the government would continue to study the issue and engage with relevant experts, including Suhakam representatives, before forming a definitive policy on caning. He stressed that discipline must be balanced with compassion and that punitive action alone cannot resolve systemic problems in education.
He also touched on a recent legal case in Penang involving two teachers charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code for allegedly caning a student, saying that while he had no authority to interfere, prosecutors might consider a review if the context warranted leniency.
Anwar concluded by urging Malaysians to seek moderation in their views, asserting that education reform must combine firmness with empathy to rebuild respect and discipline in schools without compromising children’s wellbeing.
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