Kuala Lampur, Oct. 29 -- Concerns have been raised over reports that police have begun conducting spot checks of students' smartphones in schools to look for pornographic or "prohibited" material.

The move follows from the Cabinet and Home Ministry's decision to step up patrols in schools as part of nationwide efforts to curb juvenile crime.

It is said that the directive allowing the police to check students' smartphones in the absence of an ongoing investigation or suspected offence is unconstitutional as children, like all persons in Malaysia, have a right to legal protection under Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution.

It is further said that under the Criminal Procedure Code, for a search to be conducted, there must be an ongoin...