MELAKA: Melaka Gerakan has called upon its national leaders to promote widespread campaigns aimed at curbing bullying in both schools and workplaces.
The party's state chief Datuk Seri Michael Gan Peng Lam said bullying had grown into a disturbing culture and could no longer be treated as isolated incidents.
"Bullying is no longer a remote issue and it has become a societal problem that undermines safety and social harmony.
"This is a wake-up call for all of us and party leaders need to pool their resources to organise campaigns nationwide,” he said in an interview on Friday (Sept 12).
Gan said he also raised the matter during Gerakan’s recent state convention in Cheng.
He highlighted to the national leaders that bullying is a pressing social concern requiring urgent reforms.
He noted that the recent death of schoolgirl Zara Qairina, believed to be linked to bullying, was a tragic reminder of the dangers of inaction.
Gan said official statistics underline the severity of the issue.
The Education Ministry, he said, recorded 7,681 cases of bullying in schools in 2024, up from 6,528 in 2023 and 3,887 in 2022.
"Most involved secondary school students, but nearly 2,000 cases occurred in primary schools," he said.
He said workplace bullying is also widespread.
"A national survey of more than 5,000 employees found that nearly four in 10 workers had experienced some form of bullying, with around 14% reporting frequent harassment," he said.
Gan said that awareness campaigns alone were insufficient.
"What we need are concrete laws, clear procedures and enforcement that empower teachers, employers and communities to protect victims.
"Only then will schools and workplaces be safe," he said.
He said that bullying reflected a dangerous "law of the jungle" mentality, where intimidation overshadowed fairness and compassion.
"If left unchecked, it will continue to corrode social harmony," he added.
Gan urged the authorities to implement preventive measures.
These include proper counselling services, anonymous reporting channels and strict disciplinary action, alongside greater parental and community involvement.
"Every child and every worker deserves to thrive in an environment of respect and empathy.
"It's our duty, as a society, to ensure that bullying is not tolerated at any level," he said.
