02-08-2025
Bring back the rotan? LaPaq app founder calls for return of caning in schools
AINOL Razman Ghazali, founder of the LaPaq application, has reignited debate on discipline in Malaysian schools by calling for the return of public caning, following an incident where a 14-year-old student allegedly punched a teacher.
'There was a time when the most dangerous thing in class wasn't a flying chair — it was a flying rotan,' Ainol wrote in a viral post. 'Now, teachers walk on eggshells, stripped of authority, while students flex their 'hak asasi manusia'.'
His comments came after police confirmed that a secondary school teacher was assaulted on July 29 after reprimanding a student for skipping physical education.
The student, reportedly unhappy with the scolding, punched the teacher in the face and issued threats. He was later detained and is expected to be charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt.
Ainol, reflecting on his Gen-X schooling days, said that while past disciplinary methods were harsh, they instilled respect.
'We feared teachers, headmasters, and even our parents if we crossed the line. That fear kept us in check.'
He believes today's overcorrection has left teachers powerless.
'We expect them to raise leaders and innovators, yet give them no tools, no protection — and increasingly, no respect.'
Calling the current system broken, he ended with a provocative proposal: 'Bring back public caning. Let there be consequences again.' — Aug 2, 2025
Main photo credit: Ainol Razman Ghazali's LinkedIn
