Anti-bullying tribunal receives 55 complaints, 5 settled

 One victim was awarded RM2,000 in compensation, while other remedies included apologies, and counselling for bullies.

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the anti-bullying tribunal is punishment-oriented, but also focusses on rehabilitation of victims and the perpetrators’ behaviour. (File pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The anti-bullying tribunal, established in June, has received 55 complaints as of Sept 22, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said.

Five of the cases were decided through various awards, including bullies being made to apologise to their victims, undergo counselling or, in one case, pay RM2,000 in damages, she said.

“These measures show that the tribunal is punishment-oriented but also focusses on rehabilitation of victims and the perpetrators’ behaviour,” she said in a statement.

Azalina said the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 and the tribunal provided a specific mechanism for dealing with bullying through a restorative approach that was faster and more cost-effective, while placing greater emphasis on protecting and rehabilitating victims.

However, she said, laws alone would not be enough to tackle bullying.

“The victims must come forward to seek help, while those who witness bullying must have the courage to speak up because bullying is not a joke and must not be normalised under any circumstances,” she said.

The tribunal serves as a second avenue for victims who believe their complaints are not properly addressed by educational institutions.

It also handles cases involving children outside the school system. - FMT