THE drive to eradicate bullying in schools has gained fresh momentum after a pilot programme at two elite boarding institutions reported zero incidents, bolstering confidence in forthcoming legal reforms and stricter enforcement measures.
The initiative, led by Majlis Amanah Rakyat at its MARA Junior Science Colleges, comes less than a year after a series of troubling cases, including assaults and viral footage of student abuse, prompted public outrage and decisive action from authorities.
At the height of those incidents, MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki adopted a hardline stance, declaring: “You touch, you go,” signalling immediate expulsion for offenders.
Now, following a nine-month trial at MRSM Besut in Terengganu and MRSM Balik Pulau in Penang, he has reported a complete absence of bullying cases, alongside marked improvements in student discipline and welfare.
“Throughout the implementation period, no bullying cases were recorded, while overall student discipline showed clear improvement.
“Monitoring within the hostels was also more consistent, resulting in faster responses to student welfare and safety issues.
“As a result, hostel environments became safer, more orderly and more conducive for students,” The Star reported him saying today.
The pilot scheme centred on enhanced supervision, including the appointment of external full-time wardens to oversee hostel life, a measure credited with tightening oversight and accelerating intervention when issues arose.
Encouraged by the results, MARA plans to extend the programme to ten additional colleges from June, before implementing it across all 58 institutions nationwide next year.
The success of the pilot coincides with broader legislative efforts under Malaysia’s forthcoming Anti-Bullying Act 2026, which aims to introduce a specialised tribunal to handle complaints more efficiently and fairly.
According to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, the tribunal is in its final stages of preparation and is expected to become operational in the second half of the year.
“This includes setting up physical tribunal offices and developing a dedicated online complaint system,” she said.
The tribunal, to be based at the Asian International Arbitration Centre, will operate across six regional zones covering Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia, ensuring accessibility for victims nationwide.
Officials say more than 100 applications have been received for tribunal positions, with candidates expected to bring expertise in law, psychology and child development, alongside the integrity and sensitivity required to adjudicate such cases.
“We remain fully committed to ensuring a timely rollout,” Azalina said.
While the tribunal is not yet in force, authorities have emphasised that existing legal avenues remain available to victims, including provisions under criminal and communications laws, as well as internal school complaint mechanisms.
The MARA pilot’s results are likely to strengthen confidence that stricter oversight, combined with legal reform, can deliver tangible improvements in student safety.
With a nationwide rollout looming, the government now faces the critical test of whether these early gains can be sustained across the broader education system. - April 24, 2026
