By Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — The government is studying a proposal to enact a dedicated Anti-Bullying Act to address the spate of bullying cases recorded nationwide, the Dewan Negara was told today.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the suggestion, which is being reviewed by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department, includes the use of a tribunal system to hear cases.
"The proposal will be deliberated in the Cabinet," she said when responding to multiple questions on the issue of bullying, including intervention measures, statistics, and the proposal for a dedicated Act, here, today.
Fadhlina said the ministry is also drafting a new regulation under the Education Act 1996 to strengthen enforcement and provide teachers with clearer guidelines on handling student misconduct.
Additionally, she said character education will be included in the school curriculum starting in 2027, while preschools will implement it earlier in 2026.
Her remarks follow the high-profile case of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, who died on July 17, allegedly after being bullied.
Five teenagers were charged on August 20 with bullying Zara Qairina, whose death has triggered a movement against the longstanding bullying culture in the education system.
According to Fadhlina, 6,528 bullying cases were recorded in schools in 2023, rising to 7,681 in 2024.
"The ministry views the issue of bullying seriously and has implemented various intervention measures. I would like to reiterate that the ministry does not compromise any form of bullying in education institutions."
Fadhlina said the Education Ministry already has several mechanisms in place to address bullying, outlined in various circulars, including initiatives to promote safe schools and provide guidelines for handling disciplinary issues.
"We have also taken preventive measures, such as conducting audits on all schools, improving standard operating procedures relating to student safety, reforming the anti-bullying reporting system, and forming a Safety Reform Committee.
"Firm action will also be taken against administrators, teachers, state education departments (JPN) and district education offices (PPD) found to have covered up bullying cases,” she said.
