[UPDATED Govt mulls tribunal system to handle bullying cases involving children

New Straits Times

12 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The government may consider introducing a tribunal system to address bullying cases, with punishments designed to be more rehabilitative and less punitive for minors.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said this in reference to the recently amended Penal Code, through the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025, which introduced new Sections 507B to 507G specifically targeting bullying in any form, including online acts.
"This is a concern, especially when the perpetrators and victims of bullying are children.
"The Child Act still applies.
"So this is something I think the cabinet is going to discuss, whether we should be looking into another process when it comes to children, whether we need a tribunal system, and whether we should look at a different set of laws that focus more on rehabilitation than just punishment," she told reporters after the opening of the Asean Law Forum 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
"So these are the things we have to talk about… I can't answer on behalf of the cabinet or the relevant ministries, but only for the ministry in charge of law.
"Some countries are going in different directions because, in all this, prevention is better than cure.
"To be fair, in most school systems, bullying has always been happening, but I don't have the data.
"Generally, however, in some countries they take a different approach, especially at higher learning institutions and schools."
Azalina said that laws under the existing Penal Code are general in nature, with provisions covering sexual harassment and other grave offences.
The amended provisions now cover offences related to harassment, threats, bullying, defamation, and identity misuse, including cases leading to suicide attempts or deaths due to provocation.
The introduction of Sections 507B to 507G provides clear legal definitions and prescribes substantial penalties, particularly when harassment or bullying results in serious crimes.
However, she stressed that a different approach may be needed for children.
"Maybe when it comes to children or students, we should use a tribunal system like the Sexual Harassment Act and then consider punishments that are still punitive, but more focused on rehabilitation.
"Punitive measures should be the last resort.
"So this is where, in terms of providing, we will have to study and bring it to cabinet."
Also present at the opening of the Asean Law Forum 2025 were Legal Affairs Division (Prime Minister's Department) director-general Datuk Zamri Misman, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Secretary Anna Joubin-Bret, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kula Segaran, and other Asean ministers.
The three-day forum brings together 58 speakers and moderators across 15 expert-led sessions, with more than 300 participants from Asean and beyond.
Themes include alternative dispute resolution, cyber law, commercial law reforms, good governance, and business and human rights.