Protection clearly defined to include psychological and social harm: Academic
PETALING JAYA: Experts have hailed Malaysia’s first-ever anti-bullying Bill as an overdue step in tackling a problem long swept under the carpet, but warn it must not overlook adults trapped in toxic, abusive workplaces.
Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia senior lecturer and licensed counsellor Dr Farhana Sabri said the Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 represents a major shift in national policy, particularly in how it recognises bullying beyond physical aggression.
“For the first time, Malaysia clearly defines bullying to include psychological and social harm such as humiliation, exclusion, discrimination and online harassment, all recognised under Section 3(2).”
She added that the new definition matches what counsellors see daily, with many children and teenagers experiencing “silent psychological erosion” long before the behaviour is even labelled as bullying under existing norms.
She also described the Bill as bold for mandating that all educational institutions provide counselling and psychosocial support under Section 7(1)(d).
Farhana said making emotional support a legal requirement represents an acknowledgement that victims need trained responders, not just disciplinary action.
“It recognises that the emotional consequences of bullying require qualified responders, not simply disciplinary action,” she said, adding that all counsellors must now be registered and licensed under the Malaysian Board of Counsellors to ensure competency and ethical accountability.
The Bill also outlines child-sensitive reporting channels and strict confidentiality rules to help young victims speak up safely.
She also welcomed the widened powers of the proposed Anti-Bullying Tribunal, which may order formal apologies, deletion of harmful online content, counselling for parents or guardians and compensation of up to RM250,000.
“These are mental-health-informed solutions that prioritise mending, accountability and long-term behavioural change over simple punishment.”
However, she cautioned that the Bill’s definition of “victim” remains narrowly focused on children, specifically students of any age in educational institutions and minors in protective homes, as outlined in Section 2.
“This approach does not apply to adult workers who are subjected to workplace bullying, power-based harassment and psychological intimidation.”
She said within her counselling practice, many employees suffer depression, anxiety and burnout due to toxic work environments, adding that limiting protection to those in school risks sending the message that support for victims “expires” in adulthood.
Farhana also said the Bill lays a strong foundation for protecting child and youth mental health, but Malaysia needs a parallel mechanism, potentially under occupational safety regulations, to address psychological harm throughout a person’s life.
“If we view this Bill as the first pillar of a larger societal commitment, we are genuinely advancing toward a Malaysia in which dignity, safety and emotional wellbeing are protected at all stages of life.”
Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim echoed the Bill’s importance, saying it reframes bullying, including cyberbullying and institutional negligence, as a matter of legal responsibility rather than just a school-level disciplinary issue.
She also said the emphasis of the Bill on prevention, restorative approaches and institutional accountability aligns with global best practices on child protection and human rights.
However, she said implementation would make or break the law, adding that without proper training, resources and enforcement, the Bill risks becoming “symbolic rather than effective”.
“The roots of bullying, social norms, power dynamics, peer pressure, mental-health issues and institutional complacency run deep.”
She said government agencies, schools, civil society, parents and communities must see the Bill as part of a long-term movement for cultural change.
