Maintain caning of students - Lee Lam Thye

Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the act of caning is necessary as a final alternative and as a way of disciplining the students.

Lee had earlier said that before a teacher is given the rights to cane a student, the child should first be given counselling and the issue informed to the parents.

The final alternative will only be used in school as a method of sending a message to the students to not repeat the mistake.

“The cane should be used. But before it is used, the student should be informed why she/he is being caned. The student should be informed and caning is not aimed at injuring the student,” said Lee.Lee hoped that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development would re-evaluate the bill by having a meeting with parents and teachers.

Earlier, a ban on canning children in school had been issued especially in front of others as a form of punishment.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said the government will get the views of all parties, including Wanita Umno as well as the public, regarding the proposal

"Some say it is better to amend, some say it is not suitable. There are some who say that from the point of view of Islam, there are no objections to us caning the children, but in a suitable manner so as not to abuse and lead to bad consequences.

"There are some non-Muslims who say we should cane as that is the best way if the child is too naughty. But there should not be abuse as to cause pain or destroy them," he had said.

Last month, the Congress of Teachers Unions in the Education Service (KKGDPP) said it did not agree with the proposal to make caning of children a criminal act.