Education Minister confirms caning remains legal for boys in Malaysian schools

At a press briefing, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek affirmed that caning has never been removed from the list of disciplinary options for male pupils in Malaysia. Existing rules allow the measure only for designated offences and require it to be administered by the headmaster, principal or a teacher specifically authorised by them. The minister stressed that the punishment cannot be applied arbitrarily, in anger, or in a way that harms the student, and must be documented according to current regulations.

She announced that the ministry will soon provide clearer procedural guidelines to help schools, parents and the wider community understand what is permissible. The clarification follows renewed calls for tougher school discipline after recent student incidents, and builds on safety measures introduced last October that gave school leaders broader authority over disciplinary matters. Fadhlina also noted ongoing efforts to shift focus toward prevention, early intervention and student support within the broader school safety framework.