Safety must be actively built, protected and enforced, says NGO chairman
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must act to protect its children and adults from rising violence, bullying and abuse, including online exploitation, warned Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
“These cases, whether occurring in schools, homes, workplaces or digital spaces, are a stark reminder that safety cannot be taken for granted. It must be actively built, protected and enforced.”
He stressed that safety is more than merely the absence of crime, as it is also the presence of dignity, respect and protection.
“Every child has the right to grow, learn and play without fear. Every adult has the right to work, communicate and live free from harassment, abuse and exploitation.
“When any of these spaces becomes unsafe, trust collapses and long-term harm follows.”
He also highlighted schools as a critical frontline.
“Schools must be transformed into safe spaces, not sources of trauma. Zero tolerance must be enforced for bullying, sexual misconduct, abuse of power and violence.
“Properly trained counsellors, mandatory reporting mechanisms and child-protection officers are essential to act swiftly when students are at risk.
“Teachers and school leaders must be able to recognise signs of distress, grooming and abuse. Silence and cover-ups can never be allowed to protect reputations at the expense of children.”
Family violence, neglect and emotional abuse often go unseen behind closed doors.
Lee urged parents and caregivers to seek parenting education, mental health support and stress-management tools.
He also called for empowering neighbours, teachers and health workers to report suspected abuse without fear of reprisal.
Addressing workplaces, he said: “Bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation and exploitation are not part of office culture. They are violations of human rights.
“Organisations must implement clear codes of conduct, confidential reporting channels and independent investigations. Workers must be assured that speaking up would not jeopardise their jobs or future careers.”
He also warned about growing risks in digital spaces.
“Cyberbullying, scams, sexual predators, grooming, extremist content and psychological manipulation are making online environments increasingly unsafe.
“Stronger platform accountability, effective content moderation, digital literacy education and parental guidance tools are critical.
“Laws alone are not enough. Enforcement, technology and public awareness must work together,” he noted.
He also called for a united approach involving the government, schools, employers, parents, technology companies, NGOs as well as communities.
“Protecting children and adults from harm requires collaboration across all sectors of society.”
Lee outlined several key measures, such as stronger child-protection and anti-bullying laws to provide clear legal safeguards, expanded access to mental health services and counselling for victims and at-risk individuals, and safe, confidential reporting systems so that people can speak up without fear.
Investigations must be swift and fair, with meaningful penalties to ensure accountability, he added.
He also stressed on continuous public education to raise awareness about safety, respect and dignity.
“Most importantly, we must stop normalising cruelty, silence and fear. A safe society is not built by looking away. It is built by speaking up, acting early and standing with victims.
“Every child deserves a safe childhood. Every adult deserves a life free from abuse. And every space, physical or digital, must be governed by dignity, responsibility and care. Only then can we truly call ourselves a compassionate and just society.”
