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A TOTAL of 5,681 bullying cases were reported in schools nationwide between January and August this year, encompassing physical, verbal, non-verbal, and cyberbullying, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar warned that the actual figure could be significantly higher due to underreporting by school administrators seeking to preserve institutional reputation.
"The problem is that sometimes these cases are covered up because they do not want the school's image to be tarnished. They want to protect the school's reputation, so they submit glowing reports, even though in reality, the children in those schools feel abused and stressed going to school," Anwar said.
"So do not hide it, because the ones being ruined are these children, and we fail to think about that—it is an incorrect approach. I agree that in such cases, whatever the reason, swift and firm action must be taken," he added.
Addressing the broader role of families, the Prime Minister highlighted a shift in parental attitudes toward discipline compared to previous generations, alongside limited participation in Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA).
"It is quite different from our generation. In the past, if we got hit at school and went home to tell our parents, we would get hit again. Nowadays, if a student gets flicked slightly, a lawsuit follows, so there are issues regarding family awareness," Anwar said.
"Many PTAs are active, but parental participation remains limited. That is why we suggested that for certain government aid distributions approved for parents at school, the school should at least require parents to attend in person, fostering direct engagement with teachers," he said.
Anwar stressed that cultivating greater awareness among parents and families remains a critical priority in addressing student misconduct and ensuring a safe learning environment. - October 6, 2026
