KUALA LUMPUR: An NGO today suggested that schools appoint specially trained teachers to monitor student welfare and identify signs of abuse.
Nazir Ariff, president of Children Protection Society Malaysia (CPSM), said such teachers could serve as a crucial link between vulnerable children and support services, particularly as reports of abuse and neglect continue to surface.
“When teachers see that something is not right, they should identify the issue and speak to the child and parents,” he said after the launch of CPSM’s “Safe Child, Strong Nation” campaign at Carcosa Seri Negara here today.
Last week, deputy women, family and community development minister Lim Hui Ying said police received 388 sexual harassment reports in the first five months of 2026. She said this reflected a rising trend from 477 cases reported in 2022 to 1,038 last year.
Nazir said while families were reluctant to discuss abuse due to a culture of shame, high-profile cases, including allegations linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings, had brought child safety concerns into focus.
He said most sexual abuse cases occurred in middle- and lower-income families, with parents sometimes leaving children unsupervised or in the care of neighbours.
He said that work commitments left many parents with no other choice, and that specially selected teachers overseeing student welfare would help detect and address problems.
Nazir added, however, that not every teacher would be suited to the role. “Looking after children today is not easy, and helping other people’s children is even more difficult,” he said.
