{"id":9600,"date":"2026-07-30T18:59:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T10:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachformalaysia.org\/?p=9600"},"modified":"2026-07-31T15:18:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T07:18:57","slug":"from-headlines-to-legislation-what-malaysias-anti-bully-act-means-for-children-schools-and-society","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachformalaysia.org\/my\/from-headlines-to-legislation-what-malaysias-anti-bully-act-means-for-children-schools-and-society\/","title":{"rendered":"From Headlines to Legislation: What Malaysia\u2019s Anti-Bully Act Means for Children, Schools and Society"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many years, bullying has largely been viewed as a school discipline issue that is handled internally by teachers and school administrators. However, rising reports of bullying, increasing recognition of the long-term harm experienced by children, alongside growing public concern, have pointed to the need for a stronger framework and a more coordinated approach. <\/span>The Anti-Bully Act 2026 represents the country\u2019s first dedicated legal framework to prevent and respond to bullying involving children.<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Malaysia Needed the Anti-Bully Act<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"The Ministry of Education\u2019s Student Discipline System (SSDM) recorded a steady <\/span>rise in bullying cases<\/span><\/a> over the past three years \u2014 from 3,883 in 2022 to 6,528 in 2023 to 7,681 in 2024. More than 70% of these incidents took place in secondary schools. Meanwhile, the <\/span>2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS)<\/span><\/a>, involving more than 33,000 adolescents aged 13 to 17, found that 8.6% of adolescents reported having been bullied. Some of the most common forms of bullying included being mocked about their appearance (26.7%), experiencing sexual jokes or gestures (16%), being deliberately excluded or ignored by peers (13%), and being bullied because of race, nationality or skin colour (11.7%). The rise in bullying incidents, alongside growing concerns about cyberbullying, highlights why this issue has become a matter of public concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

Until now, Malaysia has largely addressed bullying cases through existing school disciplinary processes, supported by criminal and civil laws where applicable. However, these approaches may not always be enough to address the full range and complexity of bullying cases, particularly when incidents occur beyond school settings or require additional support and intervention. This is reflected in an <\/span>Ipsos poll<\/span><\/a> on bullying in 2025, which found that 72% of school bullying victims did not take any action. Common barriers to reporting and seeking help include fear of retaliation, lack of trust in the process, concerns that complaints may not be handled appropriately and difficulties in providing sufficient evidence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Credit: IPSOS PRESS RELEASE: BULLYING IN MALAYSIA<\/p><\/div>\n

Against this backdrop, the Anti-Bully Act 2026 reflects a shift towards recognising bullying as a wider societal and child-protection concern that requires clearer responsibilities, stronger accountability and coordinated action across schools, families, communities, and institutions. It also sends a clear message that bullying should not be normalised or tolerated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Features of the Anti-Bully Act 2026<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The <\/span>Anti-Bully Act 2026<\/span><\/a> introduces new measures to strengthen the prevention and resolution of bullying cases. It applies to children under the age of 18, students enrolled in educational institutions including tahfiz schools, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) institutions, Henry Gurney Schools, and certain institutions established under the Child Act 2001. The Act is not limited to incidents that occur within school grounds. Bullying involving a child victim may still fall within the Act even if it takes place outside the supervision or monitoring of an educational institution. While the legislation touches on many areas, three key features are particularly important.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. A broader shared understanding of bullying<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Anti-Bully Act 2026 broadens and promotes a shared understanding of bullying by recognising that harm can take many forms and that even a single serious incident may constitute bullying.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBully means any wilful act and directed at a victim by any means, whether committed repeatedly or in a single severe incident which cause physical, psychological or social harm to the victim.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Act further recognises the different forms of bullying and the wider impact it can have on children. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n