Are Malaysian schools safe—and are adults listening to the students inside them? Fifteen-year-old Haresh Pillai from the Malaysian Indian Youth Council (MIYC) joins TheGoodCastShow for a candid conversation about school bullying, youth violence, social media influence, parenting, Malaysian politics and AI in education.
As our youngest guest yet, Haresh shares a student’s perspective on the pressures facing Malaysian teenagers. From vaping and peer pressure to school discipline and the debate over caning, he discusses why he believes violence is becoming normalised among some young people—and why stronger parental involvement and mentorship matter.
Can CCTV solve school safety problems? Who should take responsibility: parents, teachers or the Ministry of Education? Host Vinodh Rajendran questions Haresh on what prevention should look like, how students relate to their teachers, and whether adults understand what happens in young people’s lives.
The conversation also explores racial politics in Malaysia, multicultural friendships and Malaysian identity. Haresh explains why his experience of racial harmony at school differs from the divisions he sees in political debate.
Beyond the classroom, we discuss how youth organisations can build confidence, leadership skills and opportunities for Malaysian-Indian youth. Haresh reflects on his journey into community involvement, the importance of supportive mentors, and balancing schoolwork with meetings, forums and youth programmes.
We also explore how students use ChatGPT and artificial intelligence for revision, study notes and exam preparation. Is AI helping students learn—or making them too dependent on technology? What could AI job displacement mean for their future, and how can TVET, cybersecurity and skills-based education prepare young Malaysians for a changing workforce?
What do you think would make Malaysian schools safer? And should more teenagers join youth organisations? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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