10,435 School Liaison Officers Assigned To All Schools Nationwide - Shamsul Anuar

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- A total of 10,435 school liaison officers have been deployed across all primary and secondary schools nationwide, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the liaison officers serve as an important link between the police and schools, raising awareness of crime, providing safety advice, and assisting in tackling bullying and student discipline issues.

“To strengthen their capabilities, PDRM is implementing in-service training for school liaison officers based on state contingents,” he said.

Shamsul Anuar said this in response to a question from Chiew Choon Man (PH-Miri) on measures to strengthen the role of school liaison officers in schools to enhance safety, as well as initiatives to establish effective communication channels between the police, school staff, parents, and students to curb bullying.

He said that among the main responsibilities of school liaison officers were providing advisory services to schools on student discipline, monitoring safety needs, identifying problems, and assisting in safety management before and after crises.

Shamsul Anuar said that school liaison officers also visit schools at least once every two weeks and review complaints received through complaint boxes in order to establish an effective communication channel.

“Parents and the public can also channel information to the police through the Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) application, as well as follow up with the school if necessary,” he said.

Shamsul Anuar said that the government was also examining proposals to station police officers permanently or semi-permanently in high-risk schools.

Meanwhile, Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said that the appointment of former military or police personnel as wardens of the MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) was carried out carefully through strict vetting and specialised training.

She said the measure was currently being implemented as a pilot project in two locations, namely MRSM Balik Pulau in Penang and MRSM Besut in Terengganu, in collaboration with the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) and the Ex-Servicemen Affairs Corporation (PERHEBAT).

“Candidates identified through the collaboration between JHEV and PERHEBAT are screened via an interview process, taking into account their disciplinary records, integrity, and whether they are free from drug or alcohol abuse,” she said.

She was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN–Kubang Kerian), who asked about the mechanism for screening and training retired military or police personnel prior to their appointment as MRSM wardens.

-- BERNAMA