MCCC Urges Mandatory CCTV, Bag Checks At School Entrances

SHAH ALAM: The government has been urged to make the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras mandatory in all schools, as well as to implement bag checks on students at school entrances, as a measure to strengthen security and prevent violent incidents.

The proposal was put forward by the Malaysia Community Crime Concern (MCCC), which is of the view that it is time for the government to introduce a more comprehensive security policy following several incidents involving students recently.

MCCC Pahang Chairman Daniel Khoo said that the approach of only acting after an incident occurs is no longer sufficient; instead, prevention efforts must be strengthened to ensure that schools truly become safe places for everyone.

“CCTV must be made mandatory in all schools in Malaysia. Not only should they be installed in classrooms, but also in corridors, pathways to toilets, staircases, entrances, and all areas that students pass through.

“Wherever students move within the school compound, CCTV monitoring is very important.

“The recordings not only help in investigations should any incident occur, but can also deter individuals from committing crimes because they know every movement is being recorded,” he said as reported by BH.

According to Daniel, the government must also ensure that CCTV coverage is sufficient so that no areas become blind spots that could affect monitoring or complicate investigations should an undesirable incident occur.

He said that investment in upgrading school security systems should not be seen as a burden, but rather as a necessity to protect the lives of students, teachers, and school staff.

In addition to CCTV installation, he also proposed that all schools implement a standard operating procedure (SOP) for security checks on students before they enter the school compound.

“Every school needs to have security guards who carry out bag checks on students.

“We must ensure that no one brings in sharp weapons such as knives or any dangerous objects that could threaten the safety of the school community.

“Some may think this measure is too strict, but we need to look at the bigger interest, which is student safety. Prevention is always better than acting after a tragedy occurs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Daniel said that physical security aspects alone are insufficient if students’ emotional well-being continues to be neglected.

He said that parents, teachers, and guardians need to be more sensitive to changes in adolescent behaviour, including those who suddenly become quiet, withdraw from others, become easily angered, lose interest in daily activities, or show significant emotional changes.

“Do not just point fingers to find out who is at fault when a tragedy occurs. Instead, ask why it could happen and what weaknesses need to be addressed so that the same incident does not recur.

“MCCC believes prevention begins with communication, concern, and the willingness to listen. Sometimes, a sincere conversation is enough to change a child’s life,” he said.

On Tuesday, the media reported that a student was injured after being stabbed by a teenage girl at a school in Banting.

Media Selangor