Kuala lumpur: The Anti-Bullying Bill will be tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on December 1, as announced by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She highlighted that the proposed legislation received Cabinet approval on November 21, following its presentation to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Women, Children, and Community Development on November 19.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azalina elaborated that the first reading is scheduled for December 1, 2025. On the same day, a detailed briefing will be provided to Members of Parliament to explain the structure of the committee, the jurisdiction of the tribunal, and the implementation mechanism of the bill. This initiative was in response to a query from Dr. Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen (PH-Bandar Kuching) regarding the government's plans to introduce new legislation to tackle bullying.
Azalina stated that the drafting process of the bill involved comprehensive engagement through 12 town hall sessions conducted in September and October 2025. These sessions saw participation from 300 to 400 individuals, including principals, teachers, Parent-Teacher Associations, relevant agencies, as well as students from both primary and tertiary levels.
The bill introduces, for the first time, a clear legal definition of bullying, encompassing physical, verbal, and online elements. This standardized definition aims to provide educational institutions, enforcement agencies, parents, and the community with a consistent framework for prevention, enforcement, and rehabilitation.
Furthermore, Azalina mentioned that the bill grants educational institutions clear autonomy to utilize internal committees as the first line of prevention to detect, manage, and report bullying cases in a structured manner. If internal resolution is not possible, an Anti-Bullying Tribunal will be established to offer remedies like protection, counselling, and rehabilitation through a non-adversarial, child-friendly process.
The proposed legal framework emphasizes restorative and inclusive approaches to guide and rehabilitate children's emotional well-being and character. It also reinforces alternative dispute resolution methods, including restorative mediation, ensuring parental involvement and long-term support for both victims and perpetrators.