THE Government is still reviewing a wide range of public feedback before finalising the legal definition of "bullying" for inclusion in the upcoming anti-bullying law, currently under development.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, said responses received through the ‘Generasi Tanpa Buli’ portal since its launch on 11 September indicate a strong public desire for a broader scope — not limited solely to individuals under 18 years of age.
“So far, we are still reviewing all the views. Many teachers attended today’s session and shared perspectives from the school environment,” Azalina said during a press conference following the Selangor-level ‘#GenerasiTanpaBuli’ anti-bullying town hall held at Dewan Jubli Perak, Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Building, on Thursday.
“There were also comments that if we are to have a specific Act, it must come with a proper legal definition. Many also proposed the establishment of a tribunal to resolve bullying cases swiftly. So, we will revisit and evaluate all these suggestions,” she added.
Azalina noted that she would continue gathering public feedback through roadshows in Johor and the northern region over the coming weeks. If sessions cannot be completed by 30 September, the four zones will be consolidated for further analysis.
“God willing, in October I will head to universities and academies, including military and police institutions, to seek their views, as these organisations also have internal disciplinary frameworks,” she said.
Commenting on the complexities involved, Azalina emphasised that defining bullying remains a major challenge due to the varied interpretations held by different stakeholders.
“As a government, we do not want to adopt international definitions blindly, as Malaysia is a diverse country with multiple ethnic and religious backgrounds. Parent-teacher associations may have different views, schools may see things differently, and the same goes for ministries and NGOs,” she explained.
She also pointed out that in some countries, specific categories of bullying have already been codified, while in Malaysia, certain actions — such as sexual harassment or acts of humiliation — may already fall under existing laws but could also be defined as bullying.
Azalina urged Malaysians to continue contributing views via the ‘Generasi Tanpa Buli’ portal, stressing that public input will play a key role in ensuring the forthcoming legislation — set to be tabled in December — is both comprehensive and effective. - September 18, 2025
