16 Former Military Wardens to Begin Duty at Eight MRSM Starting 1 July
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 16 former Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel will begin reporting for duty as full-time wardens at eight selected Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) starting this Wednesday.
Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, in a Facebook post, said the placement is expected to help improve student discipline levels while ensuring that no more bullying cases occur at these educational institutions.
He said the implementation is the second phase of the full-time warden appointment programme among former military personnel, following a pilot project carried out at MRSM Besut, Terengganu and MRSM Balik Pulau, Penang starting 18 October last year.
“For current needs, the total number is 32 wardens for eight MRSM, comprising two males and two females for each MRSM. For the first phase, 16 male wardens will begin their duties on 1 July 2026.
“For female candidates, 162 individuals have applied. Online tests were conducted on 25 June 2026. The date for physical interviews for female candidates is 2 July. The appointment of female wardens is expected to follow shortly after the male phase, subject to the completion of the same screening process,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi said the warden selection process is carried out jointly by MARA’s subsidiary company, Glokal Link Sdn Bhd (GLSB), in collaboration with MARA’s Secondary Education Division, the Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV), TalentCorp and the ATM Psychology and Counselling Section.
He said physical interview sessions were held on 15 and 16 June at MARA Advanced Skills Institute, Kepong, involving 147 candidates, including 139 male candidates who had undergone initial and secondary screening.
“Before the candidates attended the interview, they had undergone initial screening by JHEV and TalentCorp. This pathway is for recognised ATM veteran candidates, namely those who completed their service honourably and were not dismissed due to misconduct, serious disciplinary issues or legal violations that affect their eligibility as ATM Veterans,” he said.
According to him, GLSB will ensure that all pre-appointment screenings are completed first, including verification of ATM veteran status, criminal record checks through the Royal Malaysia Police and screening related to child sexual offenders before any offer letter or appointment is issued.
He said candidate selection is not solely based on physical interviews but also goes through several screening stages, including MyNext OCEAN and RIASEC psychometric tests, military psychological tests, mental health screenings, body mass index (BMI) checks, bleep tests and face-to-face interviews with a multi-agency panel.
“Before the offer letter is finalised, final candidates will also undergo a final assessment with ATM psychologists or counsellors, including psychological assessment or biofeedback components that focus on child protection, risk of sexual misconduct, impulse control, boundaries of warden-student interaction and the psychological suitability of candidates to be placed in MRSM hostels.
“GLSB’s principle is clear: no offer letter or appointment will be issued as long as all essential screenings have not been completed. Only candidates who are truly qualified, clean, have integrity and are suitable to look after MRSM students will be considered for appointment,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi said the programme will be expanded in phases to all 58 MRSM, with the third phase scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027.
“Overall, MARA will ensure that this is implemented meticulously, with integrity, in compliance with the law and prioritising the safety and well-being of MRSM students.
“This approach is taken to ensure that the warden appointments truly meet the expectations of the community, parents and stakeholders regarding the role of MRSM wardens,” he said.
Bernama