PETALING JAYA: The Education Ministry’s focus on creating an anti-bullying framework under Budget 2026 must go beyond symbolic statements and translate into concrete action, say stakeholders.
Malaysian Mental Health Association president Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said the goal must be to build a safe school culture, which should include interventions like robust reporting systems, mental health support and transparent mechanisms that inspire confidence among parents and the public.
“For a long time, ragging or hazing in schools, particularly boarding schools, has become institutionalised and culturally accepted. Punitive measures alone will not work,” he said.
He stressed that the framework must be designed through research partnerships so it does not end up as a policy statement but a living, adaptable document.
“It should incorporate data collection to build a national database of bullying cases, enabling better tracking and evaluation of interventions,” he said.
Mohanraj also highlighted the importance of capacity building, particularly for teachers and boarding school wardens, to detect subtle forms of bullying and their psychological impact.
“Boarding schools remain high-risk environments, and special attention must be given to equipping wardens and residential staff with the tools to manage these settings.
“It’s the mental health impact of subtle forms of bullying, especially in boarding schools, that needs to be recognised.
“Staff must be trained to identify how these behaviours can show up as psychological changes in students,” he said, adding that they must also be trained with de-escalation techniques.
He added that the framework should involve law enforcement, social welfare, cybersecurity authorities and digital platforms to address cyberbullying, alongside education programmes at the primary school level.
National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Fouzi Singon said part of the Budget 2026 allocation should be channelled towards installing more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in school dormitories nationwide, especially in secluded areas.
“These facilities are often where bullying incidents occur, and the presence of CCTV cameras will not only act as a deterrent but also as an important tool for investigation and accountability,” he said.
Beyond physical monitoring, he added that parents must be directly engaged, particularly those whose children are identified as potential bullies or as being vulnerable to bullying.
“Bullying is not just a disciplinary issue but a societal challenge.
“If left unchecked, it can lead to long-term emotional scars, school dropouts and delinquency,” he said.
Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the framework should move beyond slogans and “zero-bullying declarations” towards a whole-of-society approach that builds safe environments, empowers students, trains educators and enforces accountability.
“The very first step is a clear and consistent definition of bullying. It must cover physical, verbal, relational and cyberbullying.
“There must also be prevention before reaction, such as positive school culture initiatives like peer mentorship and inclusivity programmes,” she said.
Noor Azimah also urged the ministry to establish robust reporting and protection systems, including anonymous, safe channels for students and proper whistleblower protections.
“Students from primary to secondary, including those in boarding schools and special needs institutions, experience bullying firsthand.
“Their voices are essential for designing reporting tools that feel safe and accessible,” she said.
On Aug 29, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said among the ministry’s main focuses in Budget 2026 will be creating an anti-bullying framework in educational institutions.
She also revealed that the number of bullying cases in schools continues to climb, with 7,681 cases last year compared with 6,528 in 2023.
