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A sign informing the public of CCTV installation is posted in a public area in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. / Kuala Lumpur Correspondent Hong Seong-a

The Malaysian government will expand the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to 1,000 schools next year to prevent school violence and serious crimes on campus. The move comes amid growing calls to strengthen school safety following a recent surge in bullying reports and the death of a student on school grounds.

According to the local daily Malay Mail on the 6th, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated during parliamentary question time that day that the government plans to allocate a budget of 15 million ringgit (approximately 4.92 billion won) to install CCTV cameras in 1,000 schools next year.

The Malaysian government invested 3 million ringgit (approximately 980 million won) last year to install CCTV systems in 200 school dormitories, and expanded coverage this year to 333 boarding schools with an allocation of 5 million ringgit (approximately 1.64 billion won).

Selection criteria for schools receiving CCTV systems comprehensively account for recorded incidents of school bullying over the past two years, student enrollment and density, and whether electrical and network infrastructure has been established by the Public Works Department (JKR).

A primary driver behind this measure is the rising trend in school violence. According to the Ministry of Education (MOE), reported bullying incidents in schools surged from 3,883 in 2022 to 7,681 in 2024 before dropping to 2,889 last year; however, 5,681 cases were already reported between January and August this year, confirming a rebound in figures.

The recent death of a student on campus has particularly heightened safety concerns at schools. On the 3rd, a 16-year-old female student was killed by three male students from the same school inside a secondary school auditorium in Yong Peng, Johor. Authorities have detained and are investigating the three male suspects.

Although CCTV was already installed at the school, public outrage mounted upon revelations that the auditorium interior where the crime occurred was a blind spot outside surveillance coverage.

Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek acknowledged that the CCTV did not cover the crime scene and stated that relevant security systems would be upgraded immediately.

Experts advised that alongside increasing the number of CCTV cameras, the overall management framework—including camera placement and operating protocols—must be improved.

Malaysian criminologist Kamal Affandi Hashim urged the establishment of standard operating procedures (SOPs), noting, "For CCTV to be truly effective in crime prevention, strategic and planned installation is essential."

                                                                                                           Hong Seong-a