While our Parliament has never seen outright fighting like this 2023 incident in the Bolivian Parliament, there have certainly been angry exchanges of insulting words in the august House, which sets a poor example for the rest of society. — APG Noticias/AFP
In recent years, Malaysians have been confronted with a pressing issue: a surge in public displays of anger.
Scenes of politicians losing their temper that are amplified on social media, parliamentary proceedings dominated by shouting, and online videos of adults – even civil servants – yelling at others in public, have become a disturbing reflection of social rage.
Road rage is another troubling manifestation of this wider culture of anger.
What should be routine journeys can escalate into dangerous confrontations, with drivers resorting to shouting, aggressive gestures or reckless manoeuvres on the road.
Such behaviour not only endangers lives, but also reflects how easily frustration can spill into hostility in everyday situations.
Our children are growing up watching this culture of rage unfold before their eyes, absorbing it long before they are emotionally equipped to understand its consequences.
Be kind, not angry
The normalisation of anger at the highest levels of leadership sends a troubling signal.
The example set at the top inevitably influences the rest of society, echoing the adage that the fish rots from the head.
Without restraint, civility and dignity from those in authority, it is unrealistic to expect the broader public, particularly young people, to uphold these values.
It is imperative that leaders – whether Members of Parliament, state assemblymen or heads of organisations – embrace accountability.
This culture of rage must come to an END.
We must commit to kindness over aggression and respect over impulsive reaction.
Calm speech does not equate to silence or compromise of truth; rather, it reflects dignity in communication.
Words spoken with kindness ease tension, foster understanding and preserve the self-respect of all parties, even amid disagreement.
To speak kindly is to demonstrate wisdom, not weakness.
These values must be central to our interactions.
“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
This is one of Rumi’s most famous lines, reminding us that gentle words have far greater impact than loud anger.
Sparking off bullying?
I often wonder whether the culture of public rage is linked to another worrying trend: the sharp rise in cyberbullying in Malaysia.
A Unicef report revealed that Malaysia ranked second in Asia in 2020 for cyberbullying among youths.
The psychological impact of cyberbullying cannot be overstated.
It can lead to depression, anxiety, and in severe cases, suicide.
Meanwhile, an Ipsos (a leading research organisation) report released in October (2025) found that 23% of Malaysian parents reported their children had been cyberbullied.
National statistics show over 9,000 cyberbullying reports in the last three years – an average of 10 cases every single day.
These numbers are alarming and signal a national menace growing right before our eyes.
We are, by nature, a polite and reserved society.
Malaysians are often quiet in public settings, hesitant to ask questions, and usually respectful in face-to-face interactions.
Yet, behind a keyboard, where anonymity is perceived to be guaranteed, some become vicious, hurling insults, profanities and hateful wishes at strangers.
What drives this transformation?
Bullying, whether online or offline, is at its core an abuse of power.
It is often carried out by individuals who prey on those they perceive as weaker.
Beneath the aggression lies insecurity, as many bullies struggle with low self-esteem or were victims of bullying themselves.
Social media then becomes an outlet to compensate for their inadequacies, enabling them to project their frustrations onto others with little accountability.
The challenge, of course, lies in policing every instance of online harassment.
This is nearly impossible.
However, with artificial intelligence (AI) and trained human moderators, identifying and removing harmful content should be far more achievable than before.
Cyberbullying may occur in the virtual world, but its effects are painfully real.
Words can cut deeply, destroy confidence, and in severe cases, lead to self-harm or suicide.
We must strive collectively towards a more compassionate online community.
Governing our emotions
Managing our emotions in the digital space requires conscious effort.
Taking breaks from social media can help us regain perspective and avoid rumination.
Practising mindful consumption – focusing on constructive, rather than sensational content, such as educational posts, positive news or inspiring stories – is easier said than done, but discipline is vital.
At the same time, improving digital literacy is essential so that Malaysians can better recognise misinformation and resist manipulation by inflammatory content.
We must also acknowledge the long-term consequences of indulging in online rage.
When we engage in angry posts, name-calling and hateful exchanges, we harm our own reputation.
Employers, colleagues, and even potential life partners, can easily look us up and may view a trail of volatile behaviour as a re- flection of our emotional stability.
What we type in a moment of anger can become a permanent public imprint.
The original purpose of social media was to foster connection and friendship.
Over time, however, it has been weaponised – to push political agendas, promote self-aggrandisement, vilify others and run coordinated campaigns.
We must reclaim these digital spaces for positivity.
When encountering offensive messages, do not forward them.
Do not respond to bullies.
Bullies thrive on reaction, and responding only escalates matters, often drawing others into a cycle of group bullying.
Instead, learn to use available reporting mechanisms.
More Malaysians should utilise these tools so that bullies understand they cannot hide behind anonymity.
For those experiencing cyberbullying, please reach out to trusted friends, family members or mental health professionals.
Your feelings are valid and support is available if you seek it.
Enforce the law
I welcome Malaysia’s introduction of tighter laws to combat cyberbullying through amendments to the Penal Code and the enactment of the Online Safety Act 2025.
This Act, among other things, delineates specific offences and punishments for online abuse, covering harassment, doxing and actions that lead to self-harm or suicide attempts.
These laws are meaningful developments that send a clear message: online spaces are not lawless zones.
However, legislation must be applied consistently.
Without proper enforcement, these laws risk becoming toothless.
Balancing the need to protect citizens from cyberbullying with the preservation of free speech is a delicate task, but a necessary one.
Social media platforms must also play their part.
Their algorithms often reward sensationalism, amplifying content that triggers strong emotions, including anger.
Platforms must redesign their systems to promote healthier interactions, rather than inflaming them.
Enhanced content moderation, combining AI and human oversight, is crucial to swiftly remove hate speech, harassment and misinformation.
The government, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), should demand transparency from platforms regarding their moderation policies and algorithmic designs.
Users should have greater control over their feeds, enabling them to limit exposure to content that consistently provokes anger or distress.
MCMC can also develop ethical standards for platform operation and algorithmic transparency.
Ultimately, technology companies must not run away from their moral responsibility to consider the psychological and societal impacts of their platforms.
Here, I would like to remind social media platform companies that the Online Safety Act 2025 imposes obligations on social media and app service providers to ensure user safety.
Providers must implement robust content moderation, child-specific safeguards and user safety tools, and submit an Online Safety Plan to the MCMC.
These changes aim to provide comprehensive legal protection for victims.
Choose kindness
While laws are essential, they must run in parallel with sustained public education campaigns.
Government agencies, civil society organisations and mental health service providers must collaborate to raise awareness about the impact of online rage and how to manage it.
The Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) stands ready to support these efforts with resources, education and advocacy.
Malaysia is at a crossroad.
The rise of social rage and cyberbullying threatens to fracture the values of respect, courtesy and empathy that bind us as a community.
We cannot allow anger, whether on the streets, in Parliament or behind a screen, to define us.
The path to healing begins with each of us choosing kindness.
Leadership must model civility.
Institutions must uphold accountability.
Communities must support one another.
Individuals must exercise restraint, both offline and online.
Together, we can build a Malaysia where dignity, compassion and respect reign, both in our public discourse and in our digital lives.
Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff is the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah, a trained lawyer and Royal Patron of the MMHA. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Editor’s note: Che Puan Muda Zaheeda will alternate writing this column with Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj from December 2025 onwards.
