Social activist calls for firm and sustained action to restore safety in schools

KUCHING, Oct 22 2026: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni called for firm and sustained action now to restore safety in schools and prevent violence from becoming a trend among young people, including students.

Caption: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni says deterrent measures must be strengthened urgently, with clear disciplinary consequences, legal consequences and effective school security

She said legal consequences and prosecution of any attacker for such violent act must strictly reflect the seriousness of the crime committed.

"Deterrent measures must be strengthened urgently, with clear disciplinary consequences, legal consequences and effective school security, early identification of students displaying violent behaviour, and appropriate counselling and intervention," Voon said in a statement when commenting on an attack by a 16-year old student on a female teacher at an international school yesterday.

The school later confirmed the incident, saying that the student was no longer its student.

Voon said the message must be clear to the young people that anger and frustration can never justify violence, and no disagreement gives anyone the right to threaten or harm another person.

"Protecting teachers and students must be a priority," she said, adding:"Beyond investigations and expressions of concern after every incident, the government must demonstrate that preventive measures are being implemented effectively and that those responsible are held accountable under the law."

"We cannot wait for another tragedy to happen," she said.

Voon noted that the recent spate of violent incidents in Malaysian schools is deeply alarming, saying that "We cannot afford to treat these cases as isolated incidents or allow violence to become an increasingly normalised way for young people to vent their anger, frustration and disappointment against their intended targets."

She said the schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not places where teachers and students live under the threat of violence.

"The government and all relevant ministries  must act decisively with urgency before this disturbing pattern escalates into an even more dangerous trend among our younger generation," Voon suggested.