Miri leads Sarawak’s CCTV rollout in schools with RM100,000 in federal funds to deter bullying and improve student safety
MIRI: The installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring systems in Sarawak schools has begun, with federal funding channelled to the state as part of a nationwide push to curb bullying and strengthen safety on school grounds.
The city, here, is the first location in the state to implement the initiative. Two schools — Sekolah Kebangsaan St Columba Miri and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Chung Hua Lutong — have each received a share of RM100,000 in federal grants to kickstart the project, with all remaining schools set to follow in stages.
Miri MP Chiew Choon Man (pic), who is also Deputy Federal Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, presented the grants to both schools and stressed that safety and student discipline were top priorities for the government.
“The government wants schools to be places of education and nurturing for the young. Safety and security must be ensured at all times,” he said, adding that the CCTV systems were expected to deter violence and indiscipline while reassuring students, parents, and teachers of a harmonious learning environment.
Miri was among the areas in Sarawak that recorded a notable number of student bullying cases last year.
The initiative follows an announcement made in September last year by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who confirmed that CCTVs would be installed in all schools nationwide as a mandatory anti-bullying measure. Speaking at Sekolah Menengah Kerajaan Santubong in southern Sarawak at the time, she said the decision came after a dedicated stakeholder meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya.
“We will be strengthening disciplinary systems in schools with stricter guidelines focused specifically on stopping bullying. CCTVs will be installed inside schools and their compounds, and student protection policies will be enhanced,” she said, noting that teachers would also be assigned to spend more time with students as a preventive measure.
Fadhlina emphasised that punitive action alone was insufficient — the focus had to be on prevention.
The urgency of the issue was further underscored in August last year by Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Nancy Shukri, who warned that bullying and ragging had become deeply troubling across all levels of education in Malaysia — from schools through to colleges and universities.
Citing the tragic case of Zara Qairina as a sobering reminder, Nancy called on authorities, educational institutions, and society to do more to protect victims.
“The physical and emotional scars from bullying can last many years — even a lifetime. There have been cases of suicide and attempted suicide, as well as depression and other mental health conditions resulting from such incidents,” she said.
Nancy reminded the public that victims could seek immediate help through the ministry’s Talian Kasih hotline at 15999.
