MARA Reviews MRSM Outing Rules Following Students’ Disappearance

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is reviewing the standard operating procedures (SOP) governing outings for students of its Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) following the recent disappearance of two students.

Its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the disappearance of the two Form Four students from MRSM Alor Gajah, Melaka, on Aug 11 was an isolated case and should not result in rules that could disrupt activities and programmes at MRSMs.

He said students needed opportunities to develop their maturity, adding that they had long been allowed to go into town once or twice a month, subject to certain conditions and without being accompanied by teachers.

“We should not use this isolated case as the basis for regulations that could disrupt activities and programmes that have been running well at MRSMs,” he told reporters after the 2026 pre-departure programme for MARA-sponsored students here today.

Asyraf Wajdi urged all parties to give police and the relevant institution space to complete their investigations, saying one of the girls had suffered a panic attack and was taken to hospital after being found in a state of shock

He said they were called in by police in Alor Gajah on Monday to assist the investigation, adding that the findings could not yet be disclosed.

The students, both 16, were reported missing on Aug 11 after receiving treatment at a health clinic and were found four days later near Pasar Seni in Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA