KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 1 -- The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government to implement a formal diversion policy for children in conflict with the law, following the remand of a 14-year-old student who allegedly assaulted his teacher.

The boy was reportedly detained for two days after punching and threatening the teacher when reprimanded for skipping a physical education class at a secondary school in Kajang on Monday.

While condemning the act of violence, Suhakam stressed that punitive responses to children must give way to more rehabilitative approaches.

"Such a policy is not a denial of accountability but a shift towards restorative and rehabilitative justice which is proven to be more effective and humane f...