The Malaysian Bar has called for urgent and decisive measures to address the persistent problem of bullying in schools, warning that current safeguards are failing to protect children in what should be safe learning environments.
Citing the recent deaths of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia student Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said these tragedies underscore systemic weaknesses in how bullying cases are handled, from ignored complaints to procedural lapses.
The Bar emphasised that bullying — whether physical, verbal, psychological, or online — inflicts long-lasting harm, particularly on children in their formative years. “Exposure to sustained bullying can lead to lifelong trauma, disrupted education, social withdrawal, self-harm, and even suicide,” Ezri said.
Malaysia, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is bound under Article 19 to protect minors from all forms of violence, abuse, and neglect. The Bar noted that this obligation “requires more than expressions of sympathy; it demands decisive legislative and institutional action.”
A step forward was taken with the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025, which introduces sections 507B to 507G to criminalise various forms of bullying, including harassment, threats, and identity misuse. Offenders face up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, with heavier penalties if bullying leads to attempted or completed suicide.
However, the Bar stressed that laws must be accompanied by strict enforcement and a cultural shift in how educational institutions respond to complaints. It urged the government to establish preventive measures, clear procedures, and accountability frameworks to address bullying across all levels, from primary schools to universities.
