PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed to set up a Special Committee on Bullying to coordinate efforts across ministries and agencies in addressing bullying, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil says.
He said the committee, which will hold its first meeting on Sept 2, will be chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Fahmi, who is also the Madani government spokesperson, said that among the key focuses of the committee are reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for school dormitories and examining a proposal previously raised by Azalina to establish a dedicated anti-bullying tribunal.
"We know that when an incident involves criminal elements, the process of bringing it to court can be lengthy. So, for certain cases, a tribunal process might be more suitable. This matter will be looked into, along with other SOPs.
"In general, this initiative aims to ensure that all ministries and agencies move in the same direction, with aligned efforts and shared objectives," he told a press conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting here on Friday (Aug 29).
Fahmi said the establishment of the committee was in line with the recent amendments made to the Penal Code and the Communications and Multimedia Act.
"Previously, the Education Ministry announced a review of SOPs, and Mara, which oversees the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM), has expressed similar intentions. Through this special committee, all relevant ministries and agencies will be coordinated under one framework," he said.
Fahmi also cited the implementation of new provisions under Sections 507C to 507G of the Penal Code, which came into effect in July 2025, as a legislative milestone requiring SOP updates.
"We want to avoid inconsistent implementation across institutions. This committee is crucial to ensure uniformity nationwide," he stressed.
The minister also confirmed that representatives from the Attorney General's Chambers will sit on the committee, which will span several ministries, including the Ministry of Communications via the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
When asked whether retired police or military officers, who have been recently deployed to MRSM campuses, would also be assigned to school dormitories run by the Education Ministry, Fahmi said the matter would be discussed further within the committee.
"In my opinion, the initiative already in place poses no issue, and we hope it will yield positive outcomes," he added.
Azalina previously announced that the government is considering the need for a standalone Anti-Bullying Act, which would include provisions for a tribunal to hear bullying cases involving students and minors.
Currently, bullying cases are handled under a variety of laws, including the Online Safety Act, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, labour laws, and several sections of the Penal Code. - Bernama
Azalina Othman, Fahmi Fadzil, Special Committee, Bullying, SOP, First Meeting, MRSM, Dormitories, Penal Code, Communications and Multimedia Act, Attorney General's Chambers
