Malaysia’s new Anti-Bullying Bill 2025, establishing a tribunal and fines up to RM250,000, aims to create safer schools for those aged 18 and below.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has passed the landmark Anti-Bullying Bill 2025, creating a specific legal mechanism to address bullying in educational institutions.
The bill, passed with a majority vote, provides for the establishment of an Anti-Bullying Tribunal with civil jurisdiction to hear complaints.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the law will initially apply to those aged 18 and below.
“I stand here (making) a commitment, if God permits, we will do it next year to see the effectiveness of this bill for those aged 18 and below and we will study for those aged 18 and above for 2026,” she said.
The tribunal can order a respondent, or their parent or guardian, to pay compensation not exceeding RM250,000 for losses suffered by the victim.
Azalina said this preventive approach ensures responsibility for a child’s behaviour is not placed solely on schools or teachers.
“If parents know that they also have to pay compensation for irresponsible behaviour, I see this as a possibility of being seen as prevention,” she added.
The bill also allows the tribunal to order parents or guardians to attend counselling or parenting support sessions.
When tabling the bill, Azalina cited Ministry of Education data showing an average of over 14,000 bullying cases reported annually in schools since 2019.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2022 showed 8.6% of student victims aged 13 to 17 had a threefold risk of depression or self-harm.
Police data recorded 160 bullying cases between August and October this year, with 78% of victims aged 6 to 17.
“Overall, these statistics confirm that schools are the main location for bullying incidents and children are the most exposed and vulnerable group,” Azalina said.
