RANDOM police inspections have begun across schools in Melaka as part of a state-wide initiative to strengthen student discipline and safety, State Police Chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar announced today.
Dzulkhairi stressed that the operation is not intended to replace the role of schools but to serve as a supportive measure to ensure a safer and more controlled learning environment.
“Let these children cry now rather than for us to cry later. This is a new approach; sometimes we must be cruel in order to be kind,” he said after conducting a surprise inspection at a secondary school in Bukit Baharu.
The random visits, covering all 336 schools in the state, will be carried out continuously by district police and the Criminal Investigation Department teams.
“These visits are not merely about enforcement but also focus on prevention and education. During today’s inspection, we found students bringing playing cards and mobile phones,” he added.
Between January and September this year, 36 cases of violent crime involving students were recorded in Melaka, with assault and physical attacks making up the highest number.
“Eighteen students were detained for offences under Sections 324, 325 and 326 of the Penal Code, including voluntarily causing hurt, causing hurt with weapons, and causing grievous injury with weapons,” Dzulkhairi said.
He noted that while last year saw 27 assault-related cases, the figures remain the highest among student-related violent crimes this year.
“The assault cases are not limited to minor injuries. Some have resulted in serious harm to victims, including the use of weapons, which fall under Section 326 of the Penal Code,” he said.
Dzulkhairi added that the second-highest category of violent crime among students involved sexual offences, with 12 rape cases recorded under Section 376, followed by four robbery cases under Sections 394 and 395, and two murder cases in Melaka Tengah and Jasin.
In terms of property crime, police recorded 32 cases, including 12 motor vehicle thefts, 16 housebreaking cases, and five incidents of other thefts.
The police chief said the initiative was part of a directive from the Home Ministry to ensure student safety and discipline are closely monitored.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also voiced support for the measure, clarifying in Parliament that the presence of police officers in schools should not be viewed as intrusive but as a preventive step.
“When police enter schools, some agree as it guarantees safety, while others, including some academics, are concerned about possible disruption.
“Given the worrying rise in bullying, abuse, and crime in schools, the government has decided to continue with police monitoring but will issue guidelines to ensure it does not cause anxiety among students,” Anwar said.
He added that the government is investing RM5 million to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and strengthen counselling services in schools to address behavioural issues.
“Children today are not like my generation. In the past, we were afraid just to see a police officer, but that culture has changed,” he said, calling for a holistic approach involving parents, educators, and agencies to reinforce character development and expand anti-bullying campaigns nationwide. -October 23, 2025
