Saifuddin Nasution wants schools, police and health authorities to share data on at-risk students

On November 7, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution highlighted the necessity for better cooperation and data sharing among the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), Ministry of Education (MOE), and Ministry of Health (MOH) to address security concerns and improve school safety. Saifuddin argued that these three ministries cannot operate independently when dealing with various issues that arise within schools.

During a meeting at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol), he suggested that student profiling should be considered, particularly in cases where students require psychiatric treatment and counseling, but schools lack access to such information held by the Ministry of Health.

Saifuddin commented on media reports of the police arresting two teenagers suspected of supplying electronic cigarettes containing drugs to a school student in Negeri Sembilan. One suspect was a 17-year-old student, a schoolmate of the victim, and the other was an 18-year-old male who is no longer in school. He stressed the importance of collaboration among the three ministries, given that the school security ecosystem includes approximately 5.2 million students across 12,000 schools nationwide. This necessitates integrated action and information-sharing among the relevant agencies.

Saifuddin also mentioned the increasing concern over the use of vapes among students, as the contents of vape liquids can include various substances, complicating police investigations. Some substances may contain toxic components that have not yet been classified as poisons, creating challenges for the police in completing investigations and bringing cases to prosecution.

He emphasized that existing collaboration between the police and schools, including police liaison officers and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK), needs to be expanded to include the Ministry of Health (MOH). Saifuddin highlighted that the issue extends beyond vape use; it encompasses other activities such as bullying and accidents occurring within school premises.