Caning in schools should be reconsidered with strict guidelines, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is of the view that caning in schools should be reconsidered, but with strict guidelines and controls in place to prevent any form of abuse.

Stressing that this was his personal opinion and not yet a government policy, Anwar said the matter should be further studied through comprehensive engagement by the Education Ministry (MoE) with stakeholders, including the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

"As for caning... my personal view, which I have voiced, is that it should be reinstated but with strict conditions, not public caning.

"The caning could be on the hand, but not with full discretion given. I was once a teacher; I did cane, but on the hand, and certainly not in an abusive manner,” he said during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a supplementary question from R. Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer (PH-Jelutong) regarding a proposal to allow teachers the discretion to cane students as a disciplinary measure, similar to past practices.

The prime minister said that while some human rights groups view caning as a form of child abuse, many educators and parents still believe it remains relevant if carried out responsibly. - BERNAMA