05/07/2026

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday JULY 5, 2026

Experts laud parental liability for child bullying

RM429m allocated to boost Johor enforcement agencies KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry has allocated over RM429 million since 2023 to strengthen the welfare of personnel and enhance the operational capabilities of enforcement agencies in Johor. Its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the allocation covers police, the Immigration Department and the Prisons Department. He said investing in personnel welfare goes beyond providing better facilities, describing it as a strategic effort to ensure enforcement officers can carry out their duties more efficiently, safely and effectively in safeguarding public security. “When enforcement personnel have a more conducive workplace, comfortable quarters and modern operational facilities, the public also benefits through improved service delivery and a safer, more secure environment. “The ministry will continue to ensure every allocated fund is utilised optimally to safeguard the welfare of personnel while strengthening the security of the people of Johor.” Saifuddin Nasution said the allocation comprises RM174.8 million for projects that have been completed or are under implementation, and RM255 million for projects in the planning stage. Projects under implementation include the acquisition of land for the Pengerang district police headquarters, the purchase of office premises and quarters for the Johor Bahru Immigration Department, and the upgrading of Kluang Prison. Those in the pipeline include the construction of the Segamat district police headquarters, which will involve a police station and residential quarters, the consolidation of the bus passenger terminal at the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex, as well as upgrades to the kitchen workshop at Kluang Prison and the water supply system at Simpang Renggam Prison. He said the initiatives reflect the Madani government’s commitment to ensuring every state receives the support it requires. – Bernama

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

New law requires strict legal criteria and fair probes before penalising parents, says education group

and responsible conduct. “Safeguards must also be in place to ensure parents are treated fairly when the law is enforced,” she added. Noor Azimah said parents should only be held jointly liable after a fair and transparent investigation establishes the facts, with clear legal criteria defining negligence rather than imposing automatic liability simply because a child engaged in bullying. She added that parents must be given the chance to present evidence that they had exercised reasonable care, guidance and supervision over their children before any liability is imposed. Child clinical psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli said while parents play a fundamental role in shaping their children’s values and behaviour, they should not automatically be blamed for bullying incidents. She said parental liability should instead be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account whether parents had made reasonable efforts to educate and supervise their children. “As children grow into adolescence, they develop a greater capacity to understand the consequences of their own actions and make independent decisions,” she explained. “If we want to put the blame for bullying on parents, I do not think that is quite right because sometimes parents have taught their children but their children still make the choice to bully.” Nevertheless, she noted that the new law could serve as a deterrent by encouraging parents to pay closer attention to their children’s behaviour.

PETALING JAYA: A new legal provision holding parents jointly liable for their children’s bullying behaviour could strengthen parental accountability, but it should be applied carefully as bullying is driven by a range of factors beyond the home, said experts. Under the Anti-Bullying Act 2026, parents of underage bullies may be held jointly liable and ordered to pay up to RM250,000 in compensation depending on the victim’s losses and suffering. Parent Action Group for Education chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said involving parents is justified as they shape their children’s values, empathy and behaviour, but bullying is

their children’s behaviour, friendships and online activities. “It may encourage greater parental involvement, particularly by making parents more aware of the consequences of bullying.” She also said the new law could strengthen collaboration between schools and parents, provided communication does not only take place after bullying has occurred. “Instead, there should be regular communication on students’ behaviour, early intervention when warning signs emerge and shared strategies to promote respect

rarely caused by a single factor as it is influenced by family, peers, school climate, mental health and online interactions. “Parents today face a far more complex environment than previous generations. Bullying no longer occurs only within school compounds. “It can continue around the clock through social media, gaming platforms, private messaging apps and anonymous online accounts,” she noted. She said the possibility of legal and financial consequences could encourage parents to become more involved in monitoring

Noor Azimah said the possibility of legal and financial consequences could encourage parents to become more involved in monitoring their children’s behaviour, friendships and online activities. – AI GENERATED IMAGE BY MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

Thai and M’sian border forces tighten cooperation after Narathiwat blast PASIR MAS: Thai authorities have said the safety of Malaysians entering the country remains a top priority after a bomb explosion in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, which left two Malaysians injured. General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade “The Thai government has expressed concern over the incident and said the safety of Malaysians will remain a top priority,” he told reporters after a courtesy call by Surathep at the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex here on Friday. particular emphasis on the GOF in the Sungai Golok border area. “We are not focusing on any particular case or incident but rather on cooperation to address cross-border crime, such as drug smuggling, illegal immigration, arms smuggling and other criminal activities.” “We maintain a very good relationship with our Malaysian counterparts, with shared ideas and policies, and close cooperation through various platforms, including the Regional Border Committee meeting. government is committed to ensuring the safety of all parties and will continue to work on restoring tourist confidence to visit Thailand.”

He said the compensation was disbursed on Friday through a Thai government fund to assist victims of security-related incidents, including compensation for injuries and property damage, Bernama reported. On June 29, Muhammad Yusri, 38, and Abdullah Syarapi Abd Rahman, 45, were injured after a homemade explosive device hidden in a roadside drain exploded near the Sapom junction in Tak Bai district at 11.40am local time.

The Thai government has also handed over compensation of 650,000 baht (about RM80,000) to one of the two Malaysians victims. Narathiwat governor Boonchuay Homyamyen said the Thai government regrets the incident that injured the Malaysians, adding that security measures would continue to be strengthened to protect residents and tourists. “We will not sit idly by. The Thai

Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said this was conveyed by Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Coordination Centre (NCCC) deputy chief General Surathep Nukaeow. He said Thai authorities have indicated that they would extend appropriate assistance, including compensation for victims, while stepping up border security to prevent criminal threats.

He said policy-related matters would continue to be discussed through existing bilateral mechanisms, while the NCCC would help expedite coordination at the operational level. Surathep added that authorities in both countries have long shared aligned goals and policies in maintaining security along the border.

Ahmad Radzi said the meeting focused on enhancing border security cooperation through existing bilateral mechanisms. He said the NCCC has created chances for closer collaboration between the security agencies of both countries. “Today’s meeting concentrated on cooperation between Thai and Malaysian security forces, with