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| I welcome the passage of the Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 in Parliament, a long-awaited step towards creating safer schools, workplaces, institutions of learning, and public spaces.
Bullying—whether physical, verbal, psychological, or online—has caused immense harm to children, teenagers, adults, and even vulnerable employees. It is timely that Malaysia introduces a comprehensive legal framework to tackle this growing problem.
The Bill's recognition of bullying as a serious societal issue is an important milestone. By clearly defining bullying behaviour and outlining preventive, punitive, and rehabilitative measures, the government is sending a strong message that aggression, intimidation, and harassment have no place in a civil society.
However, as we welcome this Bill, several constructive improvements can further strengthen its effectiveness:
1. Clear and Practical Definitions
While the Bill defines bullying, further clarity on categories—physical, emotional, cyberbullying, group bullying, and abuse of authority—will help enforcement bodies, schools, institutions, and employers interpret the law consistently.
2. Stronger Protection for Victims
The Bill should emphasise victim support, including access to counselling and mental health services; quick reporting channels that protect anonymity and protection from retaliation after reporting
Victims often remain silent due to fear; the law must ensure they feel safe coming forward.
3. Mandatory Reporting and Accountability
Schools, higher-learning institutions, and workplaces should have mandatory protocols to investigate, document, and act upon bullying cases. Clear accountability is needed so that institutions do not ignore complaints or attempt to "cover up" incidents.
4. Rehabilitation for Bullies
An effective anti-bullying framework must also include rehabilitation programmes for offenders, especially minors. Early intervention can prevent them from becoming future perpetrators of violence or other crimes.
5. Tackling Cyberbullying
With bullying now moving online, the Bill should strengthen collaboration with social media platforms; provide procedures for quick removal of harmful content
and ensure stiff penalties for severe online harassment
6. Education and Awareness
Legislation alone cannot solve the problem. The Bill should require nationwide awareness programmes; anti-bullying modules in schools; training for teachers, wardens, counsellors, and employers plus campaigns that promote kindness, empathy, and conflict resolution
A cultural shift is needed to reject violence and normalised harassment. The Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 is a positive and decisive move towards building a safer, more compassionate Malaysia.
With refinements focused on victim protection, institutional accountability, cyberbullying control, and education, this law can become a powerful tool to curb the culture of bullying that has harmed far too many in our society.
I urge all Members of Parliament to study the Bill thoroughly, listen to the voices of victims and stakeholders, and strengthen it further so that it truly protects every Malaysian — especially our children and young people — from the scourge of bullying.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYEKuala Lumpu |
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