KUALA LUMPUR – Despite recent reports of bullying and violent incidents in schools, Malaysia’s top police official has reassured the public that schools across the country remain generally safe.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail highlighted that while the country’s education system is vast, with over 10,000 schools and hundreds of thousands of students and teachers, incidents such as these remain relatively rare.
Speaking at a press conference after launching the Anti-Bullying Campaign today, Khalid affirmed that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has been working closely with schools to ensure safety. He further noted that the PDRM has established school liaison officers and conducts regular patrols to enhance security within the education system.
"The safety of schools remains our priority. We have more than 10,000 schools in the country, with hundreds of thousands of students and over 400,000 teachers. The PDRM continues to cooperate with educational authorities to maintain a safe environment for all," Khalid said. "Incidents do occur that are beyond our control, but we will keep working with schools to prevent further incidents."
However, he did acknowledge that the rise of social media and external influences could affect student behaviour, urging parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities.
Khalid also addressed concerns regarding the failure of some school administrators to report criminal incidents, stating that it is essential for any event involving student safety to be reported immediately to the authorities. He stressed that covering up such matters to protect the school’s image could hinder timely interventions.
"Any incident involving the safety of students should be reported immediately. Don’t conceal the facts; share the information so that we can resolve the issue promptly. This ensures that parents are informed about what is happening in their children’s schools," he added.
The recent fatal stabbing of a Form 4 student in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, underscored the importance of timely action. The 15-year-old victim was attacked by a younger student in the morning, with the assailant reportedly using a knife. The victim died at the scene, and the police are investigating the motive behind the attack.
In light of the incident, Khalid agreed with the Education Ministry’s suggestion to extend police patrols to school dormitories to ensure the safety of students living away from home. "I’ve instructed police chiefs to include dormitory visits in our patrols to further ensure the safety of students in these settings," he said.
Khalid also reiterated the significance of the Anti-Bullying Campaign in tackling the growing issue of bullying in schools. The Ministry of Education’s statistics revealed that the number of bullying cases reported last year increased to 7,681, up from 3,883 in 2022.
"The PDRM is committed to supporting efforts to combat bullying in schools. Bullying has long-term impacts on victims, both physically and emotionally, affecting their academic performance and mental health," Khalid said during his speech at the campaign launch.
The police have been reinforcing the role of School Liaison Officers (SLOs) and organising campaigns, dialogues, and community involvement initiatives to raise awareness about the dangers of bullying. Students have been encouraged to report any bullying incidents through official channels, such as teachers, parents, or the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP), without fear of retribution.
Khalid also reminded parents to stay vigilant regarding their children’s behaviour, while teachers were urged to create safe, conducive learning environments.
"We hope that the Anti-Bullying Campaign will create a safer and more harmonious school environment, fostering a generation of well-disciplined and morally upright students," he said. - October 14, 2025
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