KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — A total of 10,435 school liaison officers have been deployed across all primary and secondary schools nationwide, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the liaison officers are an important link between police and schools, and raise awareness of crime, provide safety advice, and assist in tackling bullying and student discipline issues.
“To strengthen their capabilities, PDRM is implementing in-service training for school liaison officers based on state contingents,” he said.
Shamsul Anuar said this in response to a question from Chiew Choon Man (Harapan-Miri) about measures to strengthen the role of liaison officers in schools to enhance safety, as well as initiatives to establish effective communication channels between police, school staff, parents, and students to curb bullying.
He said that among the main responsibilities of school liaison officers were providing advisory services to schools on student discipline, monitoring safety needs, identifying problems, and assisting in safety management before and after crises.
Shamsul Anuar said liaison officers also visit schools at least once every two weeks and review complaints received through complaint boxes in order to establish an effective communication channel.
“Parents and the public can also channel information to the police through the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) app, as well as follow up with the school if necessary,” he said.
Shamsul Anuar said the government is also examining proposals to station police officers permanently or semi-permanently in high-risk schools.
Meanwhile, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the appointment of former military or police personnel as wardens of Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) was carried out carefully with strict vetting and specialised training.
She said the measure is being implemented as a pilot project in two locations — MRSM Balik Pulau in Penang and MRSM Besut in Terengganu — in collaboration with the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) and the Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT).
“Candidates identified through the collaboration between JHEV and PERHEBAT are screened via an interview process, taking into account their disciplinary records, integrity, and whether they are free from drug or alcohol abuse,” she said.
Rubiah was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian), who asked about the mechanism for screening and training retired military or police personnel prior to their appointment as MRSM wardens.
