PETALING JAYA: Bullying — whether in schools or online— is unacceptable, but even young offenders must be protected under the law, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
This comes as five teens are expected to be charged in the Kota Kinabalu Juvenile Court on Wednesday (Aug 20) for allegedly bullying Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, who later died from a fall.
The Law and Institutional Reform Minister said the five teenagers now facing charges must still be treated as children under the Child Act 2001, which guarantees confidentiality, legal representation and fair treatment.
“While we will not tolerate bullying, these are still children in the eyes of the law and their rights must be safeguarded even as we hold them accountable,” she said in a statement on her social media accounts on Tuesday (Aug 19).
She said the government would continue to intensify its efforts to curb bullying through a raft of legislative measures.
This includes the Online Safety Act 2024, amendments to the Penal Code and strengthening child protection laws and the appointment of Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) children’s commissioners.
She added that the government was also studying the possible establishment of a cyberbullying tribunal and an eSafety commissioner to ensure swifter remedies for victims, rehabilitation for offenders and digital safety education, especially for children.
“This will be done through the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU, JPM),” she said.
Zara Qairina, 13, was found unconscious in a drain at 4am on July 16 near her school hostel in Papar, Sabah, after she is believed to have fallen from the third floor of the hostel.
She was later pronounced dead at Hospital Queen Elizabeth on July 17.
