KUALA LUMPUR – The practice of caning in Malaysian schools should be carefully reviewed under strict conditions and only after in-depth discussions, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as the country faces a troubling rise in school-related crimes, including murder and sexual assault.
Speaking in parliament today, Anwar shared that he personally supports the reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools, but only if it is strictly regulated.
“I was once a teacher, and I remember caning dozens of my students… but only on the hand,” he said, recalling his own experience in the classroom.
However, the Prime Minister acknowledged the controversy surrounding this issue, noting that human rights groups have raised concerns that corporal punishment could be seen as a form of child abuse.
“There are views, for instance, from rights organisations that consider this a form of abuse. So I understand the controversy,” he added.
Despite the stance, Anwar insisted that this was his personal view and not a government policy.
Anwar’s remarks come after a series of high-profile incidents that have raised serious concerns about school safety.
Earlier this month, a student was fatally stabbed at a secondary school in Bandar Utama, which led to widespread outrage and fresh scrutiny of the increasing violence among young people.
In response, the Education Ministry has announced a number of reforms aimed at improving safety and providing better mental health support in schools.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has vowed to take full responsibility for the issue and has introduced measures such as enhanced monitoring in schools, a proposed ban on smartphones for students under the age of 16, and changes to the curriculum to promote moral and ethical values.
The ministry is also carrying out a thorough safety audit and plans to improve education on reproductive health and social issues to address concerns like sexual violence and substance abuse.
These developments have sparked renewed debate about the disciplinary methods available to educators. Some believe that the lack of clear consequences for poor behaviour may have contributed to a decline in student discipline. - October 23, 2025
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