Melaka police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the surprise visits and inspections are in line with the home ministry’s directive for police to increase their presence in schools following the recent spate of crimes involving students.
“This is a new approach – sometimes we must be cruel in order to be kind,” he said, adding that the inspections, covering about 336 schools, will focus on prevention, education and enforcement to ensure student safety.
“We will check students’ phones to ensure they do not contain any prohibited content, especially pornographic material and to make sure they don’t bring them to school,” he was quoted by Berita Harian as saying.
Earlier, Dzulkhairi and his team had conducted a surprise visit at a secondary school in Bukit Baru, Melaka.
Dzulkhairi noted that the inspection at the school did not uncover any serious crimes, only minor offences such as students carrying playing cards and mobile phones.
He said that firmness is sometimes necessary for the greater good, noting that while students may perceive police visits as harsh, such measures are ultimately intended for their safety and well-being.
“Let these children cry about it now, rather than for us (adults) to cry later (when untoward incidents occur).”
Dzulkhairi added that the selection of schools to be visited and inspected will be determined by the district police chiefs and the heads of the crime prevention and community safety department.
“This isn’t about taking over the role of school security. These checks will continue indefinitely and regularly.”
Dzulkhairi cited studies indicating that most student-related crimes in Melaka stem from issues at home and should not be blamed solely on schools.
He also said the ratio of 1,500 students to only 78 teachers at the school he visited in Bukit Baru highlights the challenge of monitoring every student closely.
“Our findings show that everything starts at home. Parents must play their part to ensure children don’t bring prohibited items to school and monitor their social activities, including phone usage.
“Teachers alone cannot be expected to handle this,” he said.
Drop in crimes involving students in Melaka
Meanwhile, Dzulkhairi said the number of crimes involving students aged 13 to 17 in the state has shown a significant decline in the first nine months of this year, compared with the same period last year.
“Sixty-eight cases were recorded this year compared with 91 previously across the districts of Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah and Jasin.
“These largely involved offences linked to weapons or dangerous objects,” he said.