THE last thing the people want to hear now is that the students who committed rape are being allowed to sit for the SPM examinations, said former Education Minister, Dr. Maszlee Malik
"The people want answers. The issue of the students involved sitting for their SPM is not of concern now.
"Student safety issues are a priority for the Ministry of Education, and it must not tolerate any criminal behaviour within school premises.
"While awaiting the police investigations, given the authority of the principal and the school, a decision must be taken to expel those involved," he said.
This stern action will serve as a warning to all parties that the MOE will always ensure that schools are the safest places for students, he stressed.
He said the MOE needs to be firmer, take drastic measures and demonstrate strong leadership following numerous issues, including the latest incident of student rape in schools.
Earlier, Maszlee said he was contacted by the media, teachers, parents and many others regarding the incident of a student being raped in a school in Melaka as widely reported.
Initially, Maszlee added that he chose not to give his views publicly, but a father's instincts urged him to say something.
"Rapes, attacks, being raped in turns, recording and spreading the heinous act ... in a school ... this is cursed behaviour.
“Crimes like this are out of the ordinary and never heard of before,” he said.
Maszlee added that if he still had a daughter in school, he as a father would feel terribly worried, scared and concerned over what happened.
“After the case of the late Faris in tahfiz, the late Zara in the dormitory, the case of AI-generated nude photos and the principal molesting students in a Chinese school and a series of bullying cases in schools and dormitories, the people, especially parents, are upset, traumatized, worried and anxious.
“The people want their confidence in education, safety and the quality of teaching in schools to be restored as soon as possible,” he added. - October 13, 2025
