Beyond classrooms: When power becomes bullying

WHEN we speak of bullying, most people imagine school corridors or playground fights. Yet bullying in Malaysia has moved far beyond classrooms. It thrives in organisations, workplaces, and institutions, often hidden behind titles, positions, and appointments.

Unlike schoolyard bullying, workplace bullying is subtle but deeply damaging. It is frequently disguised as “discipline” or “management style”, but it is actually an abuse of power. This can mean silencing dissent, belittling subordinates, excluding people from opportunities, or retaliating against those who refuse unethical orders.