Article By: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Bin Ramdzan, Public Health Medicine Specialist, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Recent reports of alcoholic beverages being served during events held on school premises have sparked public concern. While some argue that such functions were organised after school hours and did not involve students, the symbolism of serving alcohol within an educational compound cannot be ignored. Schools represent centres of learning, discipline, and moral development. It is not venues for activities that contradict these values.

Educational institutions must remain neutral spaces, free from the promotion or normalisation of behaviours that could compromise the physical, mental, and moral well-being of young people. The Ministry of Education’s Circular (Surat Pekeliling Ikhtisas) No. 3 of 2018 clearly prohibits accepting sponsorships or conducting programmes involving gambling, tobacco, drugs, or alcoholic beverages. These guidelines are designed to ensure that schools remain safe, healthy environments conducive to holistic development.

From a public health perspective, alcohol is one of the most harmful yet socially accepted substances worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 3 million deaths annually are linked to alcohol use, contributing to liver disease, cancer, mental health disorders, and social harm including domestic violence and traffic accidents. When schools allow or tolerate alcohol-related events on their premises, it indirectly signals that such substances are acceptable within the social mainstream — undermining decades of public health education.

From an ethical and moral standpoint, prohibiting alcohol aligns with the Islamic principle of maqasid syariah, which emphasises the protection of intellect (hifz al-‘aql) and progeny (hifz al-nasl). Alcohol impairs judgement, weakens self-control, and erodes the moral fabric of individuals and communities. Upholding the sanctity of schools from such influences is therefore both a moral and societal obligation, regardless of cultural or administrative nuances.

Legally, Malaysia’s Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 already impose strict controls on alcohol sales, including an age limit of 21 years and the requirement to display clear warning signage. These laws reflect the government’s recognition that alcohol poses significant health and social risks, and that stronger preventive measures are needed to protect minors.

Respecting the ban on alcohol within schools is not about restricting cultural expression or religious imposition, it is about building a healthy, disciplined, and respectful society. As Malaysia continues to nurture its multicultural harmony, the shared goal must be to cultivate future generations grounded in moderation, empathy, and moral integrity.

Protecting our schools from the influence of alcohol is, ultimately, protecting the minds and futures of our children. It is an act of collective responsibility, one that speaks to our shared aspiration for a healthier, wiser, and more dignified nation.