Rape, rights and rotan: Why the Melaka school incident sparked a national reckoning on safety and justice
The case, which involves allegations of sexual assault, video recording and subsequent public outrage, has prompted firm responses from the Education Ministry (MoE), parents’ associations, and political leaders.
SHAH ALAM – The alleged gang rape of a 15-year-old student at a government secondary school in Alor Gajah, Melaka, has shocked Malaysians and reignited a fierce debate over school discipline, student safety and institutional accountability.
The case, which involves allegations of sexual assault, video recording and subsequent public outrage, has prompted firm responses from the Education Ministry (MoE), parents’ associations, and political leaders.
The alleged assault took place on Oct 2 around 2.50pm.
The victim, a Form Three student, had returned to her classroom to collect materials for a science project.
It is claimed that two Form Five male students sexually assaulted her while two other students recorded the act on their mobile phones.
The case came to light after a teacher informed the victim’s mother about the existence of the video.
A police report was subsequently lodged, and the video’s circulation among students was confirmed.
Melaka police later arrested four teenage suspects, who were remanded and investigated under Section 375B of the Penal Code for gang rape.
This offence is punishable by 10 to 30 years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The suspects' remand was extended until Oct 16 to facilitate investigations.
MoE: “No One Will Be Protected”
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek issued a strong statement on Oct 11, declaring that the ministry would not tolerate sexual misconduct of any kind.
“I have instructed the school, the district education office, and the state education department to ensure full compliance with procedures and to extend complete cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
"The strictest action must be taken against the offenders. No one will be protected!” she said on her official Facebook page.
Fadhlina said the MoE was working closely with law enforcement and had deployed counselors to support the victim, her family and students at the affected school.
She also confirmed that the ministry had requested the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block the circulation of the video, citing the need to protect the dignity of those involved.
Fadhlina urged the public not to share the footage, stressing that doing so constitutes a criminal act under privacy and child protection laws.
On Oct 13, Education Director-General Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad confirmed that the school’s disciplinary board had decided to expel all four suspects.
"The suspects will not sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination at school.
"Instead, they will do so at a detention centre or another separate location," he said, adding that this decision does not interfere with the ongoing legal process.
Minister Fadhlina further described that the suspects would be allowed to sit for the SPM examination in line with education policies that safeguard the right to education until guilt is legally determined.
This decision, however, triggered strong public reaction, with many questioning whether allowing the accused to take their exams undermined accountability.
The Parent Action Group for Education (Page) expressed firm disagreement with the ministry’s stance.
Its chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, argued that the gravity of the crime should take precedence over exam rights.
“Rape is an act of violence and far more serious than bullying. For Page, not all students can be saved. Such crimes are extremely serious and severe,” she said in a statement on Oct 14.
“Perhaps they can sit for the SPM during the resit session or next year. There is no need to rush it this year, as they must first face legal action.”
Azimah contrasted the case with a previous incident where an expelled student was still allowed to sit for SPM due to a disciplinary issue like smoking, stating: “But that was a disciplinary issue, not a crime. That is different. In my view, rape should not be treated the same way.”
In the aftermath of the incident, Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh called for the reintroduction of caning in schools as a way to instil discipline and deter serious offences.
He argued that leniency had contributed to worsening student behaviour.
“Caning with a rotan is not murder,” he said, adding that the practice serves as a “reminder for students to learn from their mistakes.”
However, the MoE firmly rejected the proposal.
Azam reiterated the ministry’s stance that discipline should be built through moral guidance rather than physical punishment.
“MoE’s stance is clear, we do not use the rotan as a tool in education. Other developed countries do not use it either, yet they are able to raise well-mannered generations,” he said on Oct 14.
He stressed that education should prioritise values, manners and character development over corporal punishment.
The case has prompted a national reckoning on safety and supervision in schools.
Melaka’s Education, Higher Learning and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman urged for the return of caning to restore discipline, while Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye described the case as a “wake-up call” for authorities to strengthen moral education and oversight in schools.
The victim continues to receive medical and psychological support and the investigation remains ongoing as police gather further evidence and statements.
The school involved has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement while ensuring confidentiality due to the involvement of minors.
As the investigation progresses, the Melaka classroom case has not only raised questions about student discipline and school safety but also exposed the complex balance between a child’s right to education and the need for justice.
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