02/09/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | SEP 2, 2025

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Call for multifaceted approach to curb bullying F OR too many Malaysian children, school is not a place of safety but of fear. Behind classroom doors, bullying takes the form of insults, exclusion, o Schools, policymakers, parents must all pitch in

Govt forms special committee

THE Cabinet has agreed to set up a Special Committee on Bullying to coordinate efforts across ministries and agencies in addressing bullying, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said the committee, which will hold its first meeting on Sept 2, will be chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Fahmi, who is also the Madani government spokesperson, said among the key focuses of the committee are reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for school dormitories and examining a proposal previously raised by Azalina to establish a dedicated anti-bullying tribunal. “We know that when an incident involves criminal elements, the process of bringing it to court can be lengthy. So, for certain cases, a tribunal process might be more suitable. This matter will be looked into, along with other SOPs. “In general, this initiative aims to ensure that all ministries and agencies move in the same direction, with aligned efforts and shared objectives,” he told a press conference after a weekly Cabinet meeting recently. Fahmi said the establishment of the committee was in line with the recent amendments made to the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act. “Previously, the Education Ministry (MOE) announced a review of SOPs, and Mara, which oversees the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM), has expressed similar intentions. Through this special committee, all relevant ministries and agencies will be coordinated under one framework,” he said. Fahmi also cited the implementation of new provisions under Sections 507C to 507G of the Penal Code, which came into effect in July, as a legislative milestone requiring SOP updates. “We want to avoid inconsistent implementation across institutions. This committee is crucial to ensure uniformity nationwide,” he stressed. The minister also confirmed that representatives from the Attorney-General’s Chambers will sit on the committee, which will span several ministries, including the Communications Ministry via the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. When asked whether retired police or military officers, who have been recently deployed to MRSM campuses, would also be assigned to MOE-run school dormitories, Fahmi said the matter would be discussed further within the committee. – Bernama

violence and increasingly, cyberbullying that follows children home. This is not harmless mischief. It is a child protection crisis. Growing epidemic Bullying cases are rising fast. Education Ministry data show 3,883 cases in 2022, 4,994 by October 2023 and 6,208 by October 2024. Online, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission received 3,199 cyberbullying complaints in 2023 and removed 8,756 harmful posts in 2024 – five times more than the year before. The impact is devastating. Bullying has been linked to depression, anxiety, school dropouts and suicidal thoughts. Children who bully or witness it are also affected, normalising aggression as power. If left unchecked, bullying corrodes not just schools, but Malaysia’s social fabric. Patchwork responses The government has taken steps: awareness campaigns, monitoring systems and revised discipline rules. NGOs and communities run peer support groups and hotlines. But responses remain fragmented and reactive. Schools tend to punish after harm is done, while subtle bullying – body shaming, exclusion, online harassment – goes unnoticed. Cyberbullying spreads faster than schools or parents can respond. Many victims

Cyberbullying often spreads faster than schools or parents can respond.

stay silent, believing nothing will change.

the guidance and supervision of school counsellors to ensure proper direction and sustained assistance. Jamaliah added that the Teacher Empowerment Training would focus on deepening teachers’understanding of the root causes of bullying, reasons victims often refrain from reporting such incidents, such as seniority culture or fear of inaction, as well as reinforcing compliance with existing guidelines on managing bullying in schools. “If these measures prove effective in reducing bullying risks, the outcomes will be shared with the Education Ministry as a proposal for wider implementation at the national level,” she said. – Bernama emotionally resilient, well-rounded children who are empathetic and respectful. 0 Clearer policies Define bullying and cyberbullying explicitly, and set national standards for school responses and victim protection. Choice before us Safe childhoods are the foundation of a healthy nation. When bullying is tolerated, cruelty becomes normal. When empathy and respect are taught, children grow into resilient leaders and neighbours Malaysia needs. This is not a job for schools alone. Policymakers, educators, parents, communities and tech companies all have a role. The solutions exist. What is missing is urgency. Let 2025 be the year Malaysia declares: every child is safe to learn, safe to grow and safe to dream. This article is contributed by World Vision Malaysia manager of Malaysian programmes & grants Lydia Lee.

What must change Malaysia needs

a

coordinated,

whole-of-society response: 0 Safer schools

Train teachers to spot hidden bullying and embed social-emotional learning, positive discipline and peer inclusion. 0 Child-friendly reporting Confidential hotlines and digital channels More counsellors in schools, linked with community services, to support victims, perpetrators and bystanders alike. 0 Tackling cyberbullying Mandatory digital citizenship lessons and stronger accountability for social media platforms. 0 Stronger families Parents should be equipped to spot early signs of bullying – like mood swings or school refusal – and to parent effectively. Support programmes can help families raise with guaranteed follow-up. 0 Mental health support

Bullying has been linked to depression, anxiety, school dropouts and suicidal thoughts. – PICS FROM 123RF

Selangor to introduce two pilot projects in selected schools THE Selangor government will introduce two pilot initiatives to curb school bullying and strengthen mental health support for students. be compromised. “The state takes a serious view of any form of violence, bullying or harassment, and will continue working closely with all relevant authorities to protect students from physical and psychological threats,” she said in a statement recently.

State executive councillor for Public Health and Environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the Peer Support Group and Teacher Empowerment Training projects will be piloted in selected secondary schools, particularly those identified with high incidences of bullying. “These initiatives reflect the state government’s commitment to tackling the issue comprehensively, as the safety, emotional well-being and mental health of students are priorities that cannot

According to Jamaliah, the pilot projects will be carried out in collaboration with the Selangor Education Department and educational psychologists involved in developing the Selangor Mental Health module. She said the projects would provide bullying victims with a safe space to share their experiences and receive peer support under

Fahmi says the committee will review SOPs for school dormitories. – BERNAMAPIC