Prioritise funds for CCTV in schools instead of flag badges, govt told

Summary

• Mordi Bimol has urged the government to re-evaluate its spending on flag badges.

• Mas Gading MP says that students should not become victims of the government’s misaligned priorities.

The government should prioritise funds to install CCTVs on school campuses, instead of spending on flag badges for school uniforms, said Mas Gading MP, Mordi Bimol.

The MP expressed concerns over the Education Ministry’s recent revelation that its Jalur Gemilang badge programme for school uniforms had cost RM8.4 million, in contrast to the ministry’s spending of a mere RM3 million for the installation of CCTVs at selected boarding school campuses.

He strongly urged the government to re-evaluate its spending on this matter and for more comprehensive security plans to be enforced in schools.

“As an MP, I respect the symbolic necessity of such badges in helping shape students’ identities. Nevertheless, priority should be given to the security and well-being of students – which are basic requirements for a conducive learning environment.

“Especially when the country is now dealing with security issues (in schools) such as bullying, campus intrusion, and parents’ being worried about their children’s safety, the installation of CCTVs should ultimately be given priority.

“Many schools, especially those outside urban areas, do not have adequate security infrastructure. Teachers are not capable of surveilling every corner of the school at all times. CCTVs can help,” he said.

Reducing bullying, gangsterism

Mordi pointed out that the installation of CCTVs could also help reduce cases of bullying and gangsterism, prevent intruders, and provide evidence in the case of unfortunate and unwanted incidents.

Alongside installing CCTVs, he suggested that the government should enforce the installation of security gates, heightened patrols, and increased cooperation with parents to improve the safety of students.

“An effective security system not only prevents unwanted incidents from occurring, but also gives more reassurance and confidence to parents and teachers,” he added.

The MP also called for more transparency regarding the contracts issued for the Jalur Gemilang badge project, as the rakyat deserve to be aware of the project’s main beneficiaries.

Further, he emphasised that he would continue urging the government to discuss this issue more openly in parliament, stressing that students should not become victims of the government’s misaligned priorities.

Badges for students

Last week, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that the government spent RM8.4 million to procure Jalur Gemilang badges for distribution to more than 5.14 million students nationwide.

She said the allocation covered students in government schools, matriculation colleges, Form Six colleges, and teacher education institutes, with each receiving two badges free of charge.

Fadhlina said the procurement process was carried out by state and district education offices, and the respective institutions via the ePerolehan system, either through tender or quotation, depending on the allocation received.

The minister explained that wearing the Jalur Gemilang badge is part of the Education Ministry’s efforts to instil patriotism and love for the country among students, in line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013–2025.

Since April this year, the government has mandated Jalur Gemilang badges to be worn on school uniforms, in a move that has been widely criticised.

Concerns were raised over the additional financial burden, practicality, and safety risks from wearing these pin-on badges, and the lack of transparency regarding companies involved in the tender process.

In March, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim responded to the criticism by saying that the issue should not be politicised and that the badges would be given out for free.

At the launch of the initiative on April 21, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri explained that this programme could help prevent mistakes such as incorrect flag designs or improper displays of the national flag.

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