Prominent human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim has strongly criticized the growing trend of school teachers compelling young Malay students—some as young as Year One—to wear the tudung, warning that this form of moral policing is getting out of control. She highlighted how many students face pressure, reprimands, and even penalties if they do not comply with the practice, despite there being no official policy mandating such attire.
Recent social media discussions have shed light on this issue, with many women sharing their experiences of being coerced into wearing the tudung throughout their school years. This practice, they claim, extends beyond primary and secondary schools to matriculation programs and even universities, particularly in rural areas.
One social media user lamented how students in village schools had no choice but to comply, contrasting this with the relatively greater freedom seen in urban schools. Another individual recounted being fined RM1 per day for not wearing a tudung while in school, leaving a lasting psychological impact that made her feel incomplete when she eventually chose to remove it.
Siti Kasim expressed her outrage in a recent YouTube video, stating that parents have reported instances where even non-religious subject teachers enforce the wearing of the tudung. She cited an example of a young girl forced to wear one while participating in a school running event, despite feeling physically uncomfortable.
What frustrates Siti Kasim even more is the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) continued denial of any official policy enforcing tudung-wearing among Malay students. She questioned the types of teachers being placed in schools, noting that many appear to push personal beliefs onto students rather than adhering to the country’s supposed secular education policies.
During a visit to her alma mater, Methodist Girls’ Secondary School (MGSS) in Melaka, she was shocked to discover that the school had introduced two separate canteens—one designated for Malay students and the other for non-Malays. Saddened by this segregation, she confronted the then-Education Minister, Maszlee Malik, who denied any religious basis for the policy. However, a former classmate who now teaches at the school privately informed her that the separation was initiated by Malay teachers.
Siti Kasim also criticized the indoctrination occurring in schools, pointing out disturbing incidents where students were encouraged to step on the Israeli flag due to political and religious tensions. She warned that such actions could lead to further division and questioned how the MOE could allow this kind of behavior.
She further argued that certain teachers misuse their authority to impose their version of Islam on students, forcing religious conformity rather than allowing personal faith to develop naturally. According to her, this not only contradicts Islamic teachings—which emphasize that faith should never be forced—but also fosters intolerance towards non-Muslims.
Recalling a past case, Siti Kasim shared how she once defended Orang Asli students in Kelantan who were physically punished for refusing to recite Arabic prayers before meals, despite not being Muslims. She expressed frustration that such incidents continue to occur and criticized the government’s failure to address these ongoing issues.
Information Source: Focus Malaysia
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