KUALA LUMPUR — The Education Ministry will not compromise on any form of sexual misconduct in schools, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said today following the alleged gang-rape of a Form Three student in Melaka.

She added that she has directed all relevant authorities under the ministry to cooperate fully with the ongoing police investigation.

“I have instructed the school, the district education office, and the state education department to give their full cooperation to the investigation process currently underway,” she said in a statement on her Facebook page.

She stressed that the ministry takes such incidents seriously and that no one will be shielded from action.

“The Education Ministry will not compromise on sexual misconduct in any educational institution under its purview.

“The most severe action must be taken against the offenders. No one will be protected!” she added.

Her statement comes after police confirmed the arrest of four Form Five students accused of sexually assaulting a younger student inside a classroom at a secondary school in Alor Gajah on October 2.

Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the suspects have been remanded for six days until October 16 to assist investigations under Section 375B of the Penal Code for gang rape.

The case has sparked public anger and calls for stronger disciplinary enforcement in schools.

Melaka state executive councillor for education, higher learning and religious affairs Datuk Rahmad Mariman described the rise in student indiscipline as “deeply troubling” while Opposition Leader Mohd Yadzil Yaakub pushed the reintroduction of caning as a corrective measure.