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AUTHORITIES are taking urgent action to address the persistent problem of bullying in schools, where an average of 14,000 cases are reported each year.
The government has introduced the Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 in Parliament to provide stronger safeguards for children and adolescents while formalising mechanisms for reporting and resolving incidents.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said highlighted alarming figures from the Royal Malaysia Police showing 160 incidents recorded over just two months, from August to October, with 78 per cent of victims aged between six and 17.
“Statistics, including data from the Ministry of Education’s Student Personal Identity System, confirm that schools are the principal location for bullying, and children remain the most vulnerable group.
“What is more concerning is that schools, which should be safe zones, are where most incidents occur,” Azalina said, underscoring the need for immediate intervention.
The legislation initially covers children under 18, with plans to extend protection to older individuals in a subsequent phase.
It introduces Anti-Bullying Tribunals with quasi-judicial powers, able to hear complaints, assess evidence, and issue binding decisions.
Perpetrators can be ordered to pay compensation or damages of up to RM250,000. Azalina explained, “Quasi-judicial means the tribunal functions like a judicial body. It hears testimonies, evaluates evidence, and makes binding decisions, but the process is simpler and more user-friendly than traditional courts.”
Schools and educational institutions will be required to establish committees responsible for preventing and managing bullying cases, ensuring a consistent approach nationwide.
Complaints may be escalated to the tribunal if incidents occur on institutional premises, if school committees fail to take action, if bullying occurs off-campus involving enrolled students, or if victims are children not attending school.
Azalina also cited findings from the 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey, which showed that 18.6 per cent of adolescents aged 13 to 17 had experienced bullying, with these individuals facing a threefold higher risk of depression or self-harm.The measures reflect Malaysia’s focus on protecting children from bullying in schools while advancing broader legal reforms to uphold human rights and maintain public security.
In a new development, the Dewan Rakyat today passed the Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 after robust debate among government and opposition Members of Parliament, setting the stage for a new mechanism to address bullying complaints across Malaysia.
Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional Reforms, stressed that the legislation places shared responsibility on both educational institutions and parents in preventing and managing bullying cases.
The passage of the bill signals a significant step in Malaysia’s efforts to protect children from bullying, ensuring both institutions and parents are held accountable for safeguarding young people.- December 3, 2025
