MALAYSIAN BAR, SUHAKAM TO SUPPORT STUDENT GUIDANCE EFFORTS AT MARA INSTITUTIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) will collaborate with the Malaysian Bar Council and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (SUHAKAM) Office of the Children’s Commissioner to provide motivation, legal awareness and counselling on issues such as bullying, juvenile crime and drug abuse across all MARA educational institutions (IPMA).

MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said both organisations have agreed to mobilise their members, including lawyers, to IPMA nationwide to ensure early preventive interventions and education, alongside legal enforcement through initiatives such as the #YouTouchYouGo principle.

He said the collaboration was discussed during a courtesy call by Malaysian Bar president Datuk Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab and SUHAKAM Children’s Chief Commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki.

“We discussed the importance of raising awareness and legal knowledge, providing counselling guidance and psychological intervention regarding bullying and juvenile crime,” he said in a Facebook post.

He cited an example where consensual sexual relations with an underage partner can be considered statutory rape.

Asyraf Wajdi also clarified that caning in schools has not been abolished since 1954, but remains subject to strict procedures and may only be administered by principals or headmasters.

“The purpose of caning is educational, not to cause pain. It must be done privately, not in public view, and only as a last resort to teach a lesson without causing harm,” he added.

-- BERNAMA