INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said misdemeanours, such as truancy, vandalism and bullying, among students now pale in comparison to violent crimes, like buying and selling drugs, sexual misconduct, gangsterism and militancy.

He said statistics on drug-related activities showed 467 arrests involving students in 2017, and the number rose to 577 last year.

“The involvement of students in drug-related activities is getting more serious, and requires the attention of all parties,” he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the national-level Jom Ke Sekolah 2019 programme today.

Fuzi said statistics on crimes committed by students showed there were 1,285 cases last year, down from 1,722 the previous year.

“However, there must be more effort put in to deal with the issue, as the numbers are worryingly high… the unrestricted use of social media has contributed to the corruption of moral values among youth today.”

He said the School Relations Officer (PPS) programme, which sees close cooperation between schools and police, is the first step towards curbing crimes involving students.

“The role of PPS is to help provide a safe and secure school environment, as outlined in its guidebook.

“The Education Ministry has taken the initiative to provide PPS bulletin boards in schools, which provide information on the programme’s activities, as well as current news on laws and crimes involving teenagers.” – Bernama, February 8, 2019.