THE Government is set to introduce its first Anti-Bullying Bill in the Dewan Rakyat on 1 December, a legislative milestone intended to confront the escalating rate of bullying involving children in schools and digital platforms.
Ministers say the Bill will establish a legal definition of bullying, strengthen national protection systems and provide a coherent framework for helping victims, guiding parents and rehabilitating perpetrators.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the Bill aims to address the majority of cases currently affecting the country.
“We want to help not only bullying victims, but also parents so that they understand their responsibilities and are clear about what is categorised as bullying.
“This is especially important because, previously, there was no official definition of a bully in the law,” she told Harian Metro.
The move comes shortly after the Government launched the National Child Policy and its Action Plan (2026–2030) on 18 November, setting out 141 measures across 16 strategic priorities. Bullying — including cyberbullying — features prominently in the new framework, which aligns with Malaysia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), ratified in 1995.
“Whatever we do, we must relate it to the CRC. The elements of bullying are indeed included in this policy. Most importantly, the topics are based on emerging issues, including bullying, especially online,” Nancy said.
She noted that the Ministry is collaborating with ASEAN partners and international institutions. “Australia is one of the countries supporting us, as well as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Therefore, the community, government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and especially parents must work together so that we can address the issue of bullying.”
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said confirmed that the Cabinet approved the Bill on 21 November.
She described it as a civil legislative framework designed to “strengthen prevention mechanisms, victim protection and perpetrator rehabilitation”, forming the first phase of a broader national strategy.
Calls for strong legislative intervention have intensified amid rising alarm over bullying cases in schools.
The National Parents and Teachers Associations Consultative Council (PIBGN) has renewed demands for both a dedicated Anti-Bullying Act and a Special Commission of Inquiry to examine root causes and national trends.
Its president, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Ali Hasan, said the issue can no longer be dismissed.
“The government must take drastic steps, including establishing a Student Health Commission to investigate the causes, trends and internal and external factors that have led to bullying cases increasing year after year,” he said.
“Bullying must be stopped. We want zero bullying in schools and higher education institutions. It is time a special commission is established to study, investigate and provide comprehensive recommendations to eradicate this behaviour.”
He voiced full support for the Government’s legislative initiative while stressing the need for rigorous, unbiased investigations.
“Not only bullies, but also accomplices, passive witnesses and negligent parties must be assessed in the investigation. The law must be comprehensive and fair,” he said.
He also reminded parents of their irreplaceable role. “Parents cannot simply leave the responsibility of educating their children to the school.”
Mohamad Ali said the ultimate goal extends beyond punishment.
“The main objective is not merely to punish perpetrators, but to build a harmonious, safe and conducive school environment for children to learn. We do not just want to reduce statistics.
“We want to eradicate bullying entirely. We want peaceful schools, teachers who are not under pressure and students who can learn without fear.”
He urged the Government to accelerate the Bill’s passage to prevent further deterioration, arguing that Malaysia must move swiftly to achieve its ambition of eliminating bullying entirely from its national education system. - November 28, 2025
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