KUALA LUMPUR – The action taken by Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) in Tumpat, Kelantan, to confiscate the phones of its students amid an alleged paedophilia investigation has drawn criticism from an alumni of the residential boarding school.
Speaking to Scoop anonymously, the alumni expressed concern over the confiscation, noting that only students in Forms 1 to 3 are required to surrender their phones after weekends, while those in Forms 4 and 5 are exempt.
“It’s unusual. The abrupt confiscation of phones from the senior students suggests an attempt by the school management to limit their online exposure, as they are more aware of the issues at hand,” said the alumni, who attended Tumpat MRSM from 2020 to 2022.
The alumni also highlighted instances of disruption within the hostel, citing more than three educators, including the hostel head teacher, who allegedly contributed to the disturbance.
While acknowledging verbal and text-based harassment, the lack of tangible evidence complicates the issue, the alumni said.
“In essence, these teachers seem overly eager (“gatal”) in their interactions with students. Most of the harassment appears to be verbal or textual,” the alumni said.
However, the school’s management refuted claims of phone confiscation, saying that phones were merely “temporarily kept” until the start of the Aidilfitri holidays.
At press time, the alumni said that the school is expected to return the phones to the Form 4 and 5 today, as per normal practice.
A teacher, referred to as Cikgu Mi, defended the practice of collecting phones on Saturday nights, emphasising that students are granted access to their phones every Friday and Saturday.
Regarding recent allegations of misconduct by a teacher, a former student took to social media to expose the situation, alleging pedophilic behaviour at the school.
Known as @naylisabirawr_ on X, the alumni said that she received a “disturbing” message from a junior student about the teacher who is still working there.
The X user claimed that she and her best friends were also the victims of the teacher’s inappropriate behaviour.
In response, Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said a team from Mara headquarters has been set up to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, the teacher in question has been suspended until the investigation is complete, he said.
On March 30, the teacher lodged a report against Nayli at the Tumpat police station for allegedly defaming them via the viral social media post.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Muhamad Zaki Harun said the case is being investigated under Section 500 of the Penal Code for defamation and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for spreading offensive comments through network facilities.
Yesterday, Zaki said that it would take about a month to complete the investigation into this case, adding that the probe is still in the early stages. – April 2, 2024
 in Tumpat, Kelantan, to confiscate the phones of its students amid an alleged paedophile case has drawn criticism from an alumni of the residential boarding school.){kind=link}