Kuala lumpur: The Cabinet has officially agreed to form a Special Committee on Bullying, aimed at coordinating efforts across ministries and agencies to effectively address and manage bullying issues, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced. The committee's first meeting is set to take place on September 2, and it will be chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi, who also serves as the MADANI Government spokesperson, indicated that the committee will prioritize reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for school dormitories. Additionally, it will evaluate a proposal by Azalina to create an anti-bullying tribunal. Fahmi highlighted the potential benefits of a tribunal process for certain cases, which might offer a more efficient alternative to lengthy court proceedings. The aim is to unify the efforts of all ministries and agencies towards shared goals.
The establishment of this committee follows recent amendments to the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act. Fahmi noted that the Ministry of Education (MOE) and MARA, which oversees MARA Junior Science College (MRSM), are already reviewing their SOPs. The committee will align these efforts under a single framework, ensuring cohesive action across all involved parties.
Fahmi emphasized the need for uniform implementation of new legislative provisions, such as those under Sections 507C to 507G of the Penal Code, effective July 2025. Representatives from the Attorney General's Chambers will be included in the committee, which will encompass several ministries, including the Ministry of Communications through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Regarding the deployment of retired police or military officers to MRSM campuses, Fahmi mentioned that further discussions within the committee would address their potential assignment to MOE-run school dormitories. He expressed confidence in the current initiative and its prospective positive outcomes.
Azalina had previously suggested the necessity of a standalone Anti-Bullying Act, incorporating a tribunal for student-related bullying cases. Presently, such cases are governed by various laws, including the Online Safety Act, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, labor laws, and sections of the Penal Code.