Sixteen former Malaysian Armed Forces personnel will begin full-time roles as hostel managers at eight MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) schools starting july 1. MRSM is a system of high-quality public boarding schools in Malaysia specializing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

This initiative follows an announcement by MARA Chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki on 28/6, stating that six MRSM students in Johor state would be expelled if found to have bullied a 14-year-old student. The victim's family reported that the student had requested a transfer due to the unbearable abuse.

Asyraf reiterated his firm stance on social media on 28/6, stating, "I want to re-emphasize the position I have repeatedly conveyed to the entire MRSM community: expulsion will occur for violent behavior. There is no room for compromise and no place for bullies at MRSM."

Malaysian army soldiers during the opening ceremony of the Keris Strike 25 exercise on 17/7/2025 in Perak state. *Photo: USARPAC*

On 29/6, Asyraf clarified that deploying ex-military personnel aims to enhance discipline and ensure school bullying no longer occurs at institutions managed by Majlis Amanah Rakyat, a government agency that promotes education and improves economic conditions for Malaysia's indigenous communities.

The crackdown on discipline comes less than one year after the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir at a boarding school in Sabah. The incident sparked protests and calls for authorities to address bullying, abuse, and protection gaps in boarding schools.

Under the current plan, a total of 32 hostel managers will be stationed across the eight MRSM schools, with two male and two female managers assigned to each school. One hundred sixty-two women have applied for the remaining positions. They have completed online assessments and will proceed to in-person interviews.

This marks phase two of the full-time hostel manager recruitment program for ex-military personnel. The pilot phase commenced on 18/10/2025 at two MRSM schools in Terengganu and Penang states.

Asyraf reported that a local university study indicated the pilot program improved student discipline, leading to zero bullying incidents at the two institutions.

Protest in Sabah, Malaysia in 8/2025 following the death of student Zara Qairina Mahathir. *Photo: Malindo TV*

Candidates must undergo a series of evaluations: verification of ex-military status, criminal background checks, cross-referencing with child abuse databases, psychological testing, mental health assessments, physical fitness tests, panel interviews, and a final evaluation with a military psychologist.

The final stage focuses on assessing understanding of child protection, risks of sexual misconduct, emotional control, appropriate boundaries between managers and students, and psychological suitability for hostel work.

The program is scheduled to expand to all 58 MRSM schools starting 1/1/2027. Asyraf emphasized, "Only truly competent candidates with clean records, integrity, and suitability for caring for MRSM students will be considered for placement."

Huyen Le (According to Bernama, SCMP)