Kuala lumpur: 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).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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. The discussions emphasized the importance of raising awareness and legal knowledge, as well as providing counselling guidance and psychological intervention regarding bullying and juvenile crime.

An example was cited where consensual sexual relations with an underage partner can be considered statutory rape, highlighting the need for comprehensive legal education among students. Furthermore, Asyraf Wajdi clarified that the practice of caning in schools, which has been in place since 1954, has not been abolished. It remains subject to strict procedures and may only be administered by principals or headmasters.

He also stated that the purpose of caning is educational rather than punitive, emphasizing that it must be conducted privately and used only as a last resort to teach a lesson without causing harm.