Majlis amanah rakyat (mara): Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is reviewing the standard operating procedures (SOP) governing outings for students of its Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) following the recent disappearance of two students.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MARA's chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki stated that the disappearance of the two Form Four students from MRSM Alor Gajah, Melaka, on August 11 was an isolated incident. He emphasized that this should not lead to the implementation of rules that could disrupt the ongoing activities and programs at MRSMs. Dr. Asyraf highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities to develop their maturity, noting that they have traditionally been allowed to go into town once or twice a month under specific conditions and without teacher accompaniment.

"We should not use this isolated case as the basis for regulations that could disrupt activities and programmes that have been running well at MRSMs," Dr. Asyraf remarked to reporters during the 2026 pre-departure programme for MARA-sponsored students. He called on all parties to allow the police and relevant institutions the necessary space to conclude their investigations. One of the students reportedly suffered a panic attack and required hospital treatment after being found in a state of shock.

Dr. Asyraf further disclosed that the students were summoned by police in Alor Gajah on Monday to assist with the investigation, although the findings have not yet been disclosed. The students, both aged 16, were reported missing on August 11 after receiving treatment at a health clinic and were located four days later near Pasar Seni in Kuala Lumpur.