Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has suggested that caning in schools could be reinstated under strict conditions, reigniting a long-standing debate on discipline and child welfare in Malaysia’s education system.

Speaking during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar clarified that this was his personal opinion and not yet a government policy. He said the proposal should undergo a thorough review by the Education Ministry (MOE), with input from relevant stakeholders, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM).

“As for caning, my personal view is that it should be reinstated but with strict conditions not public caning. It could be limited to the hand and carried out responsibly. I was once a teacher; I did cane, but never in an abusive manner,” he said.

Anwar was responding to Jelutong MP R. Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer, who raised a proposal to allow teachers to cane students as a disciplinary measure, similar to practices from earlier decades.

The Prime Minister acknowledged differing views on the issue, noting that while some human rights groups regard caning as a form of child abuse, many parents and educators believe it remains relevant if conducted under proper guidelines.

“Many educators and parents believe there is still a place for caning, provided it is done by designated teachers in a controlled environment, such as a discipline room,” Anwar added.

He also emphasised that disciplinary actions should be educational rather than punitive, and applied only in cases of serious misconduct. “I don’t think parents should be overly worried. Children’s mischief is normal, but when it crosses the line, there must be consequences. This should be studied carefully and discussed with all parties,” he said.

Addressing a related case involving two teachers from SMJK Chung Hwa Confucian in Penang who were charged for caning a student, Anwar revealed that police reports showed the student was autistic. He said the case should be assessed based on facts, and prosecutors could reconsider charges if the incident did not amount to serious abuse.

Meanwhile, responding to PN-Indera Mahkota MP Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah’s question about student safety, Anwar said police officers would continue to be stationed at schools to monitor safety and address bullying concerns. The move comes amid growing reports of bullying, abuse, and juvenile crime.

The government also plans to strengthen anti-bullying campaigns and enhance the roles of counsellors, hostel wardens including retired army veterans and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in building a safer school environment.

“Bullying is no small matter. It involves parents, teachers, and the ministry. Principals and teachers must not ignore their responsibilities. Every year we hear of bullying cases, and now with social media, they become even more visible,” Anwar said.

He added that moral and value-based education must be reinforced so students not only learn academically but also practise good values in daily life.

The Prime Minister said the government would review the effectiveness of existing support and mentoring programmes to ensure they deliver more impactful results. He called for collaboration among MPs, educators, and parents to find the best approaches to improve discipline and strengthen the education environment.

As the debate continues, the question remains: should Malaysia reconsider caning as a controlled disciplinary tool towards making good behavioural interventions?


Source : Bernama
Image Credit : Pejabat Perdana Menteri