Bullying in schools: A critical issue that can no longer be silenced
Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025
By: Nur Aslina Binti Mustapa Text Size: According to the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), as of October 2024, 6,208 cases had already been recorded. Although this marks a slight decrease from the 6,528 cases reported in 2023, the numbers remain alarmingly high compared to pre-pandemic levels. School bullying is no longer just harmless mischief or a so-called 'rite of passage.' It has become a form of psychological and physical violence that leaves deep and lasting impacts on students—especially those in boarding institutions. Victims often suffer emotional distress, physical injuries, a loss of self-confidence, and in extreme cases, long-term trauma. What's even more troubling is how this toxic culture continues to thrive within a system that fails to offer real protection: complaints are silenced, witnesses are too afraid to speak up, and victims are left to struggle on their own, often developing anxiety and emotional scars that last well beyond their school years. The reality of this issue is reflected in official data. Between January and October 2023 alone, a total of 4,994 bullying cases were reported among school students—an increase from 3,887 cases in 2022 and significantly higher than the 326 cases recorded in 2021 during the Movement Control Order (MCO). According to the Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE), as of October 2024, 6,208 cases had already been recorded. Although this marks a slight decrease from the 6,528 cases reported in 2023, the numbers remain alarmingly high compared to pre-pandemic levels. In total, nearly 9,207 bullying incidents were reported between 2021 and October 2023. In a statement to the Senate, the Deputy Minister of Education revealed that between 5,703 and 5,891 students were involved in bullying cases in 2023 alone, based on data from the Student Self-Identity System (SSDM). These figures make one thing clear: bullying is not an isolated problem—it is a national crisis affecting thousands of students across the country. Given how serious and widespread bullying has become, real action is urgently needed. In a major step forward, the government introduced two important legal changes on 11 and 12 July 2025: the Penal Code (Amendment) 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) 2025. These changes strengthen the law to better deal with both physical and online bullying. They now include harmful actions like doxxing (sharing someone's private information), as well as threats, insults, or messages that damage a person's reputation and cause emotional harm. This is a crucial move toward recognising that bullying is a serious offence—and that students deserve stronger protection. These legal changes introduced new Sections 507B to 507G under the Penal Code, which clearly list punishments for emotional harassment. This includes actions like sending threats, insults, or hurtful messages, as well as sharing someone's personal information without permission (also known as doxxing). These behaviours are now officially recognised as serious crimes and can lead to jail sentences of up to three years. This reform is an important step in fixing gaps in the law that, until now, failed to properly address modern types of psychological and online abuse. The implementation details and objectives of these reforms were presented by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) under the Prime Minister's Department. They emphasized that these amendments not only streamline legal procedures and improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system but also enable faster and firmer action against perpetrators—without infringing on the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Where is our system failing? Despite a now-strengthened legal framework, practical failures in the education system continue to create space for bullying to persist. Many schools still lack adequate physical surveillance, such as CCTV in critical areas like dormitories, lounges, and main walkways. Wardens are often understaffed and under-trained. A culture of fear and silence continues to suppress reporting, as students fear retaliation or being labeled. Existing complaint systems often do not guarantee confidentiality or are not easily accessible to victims. Additionally, comprehensive psychosocial support is not yet a standard; many schools lack full-time trained counselors capable of identifying early warning signs of bullying or providing timely intervention to victims. What's the way forward? With bullying now recognized as a systemic issue, and with various forms now legally punishable under the 2025 amendments, the following actions must be implemented simultaneously for real impact: First, the enforcement of the National Anti-Bullying Act—now partially manifested through the amended Penal and Criminal Procedure Codes—must be paired with specific implementation guidelines for schools. The new laws should be integrated into school procedures so that the definitions of bullying, reporting mechanisms, investigation processes, and victim protection are aligned and effective. Second, the establishment of an Independent Student Complaints Unit is critical. This unit should operate autonomously under the Ministry of Education and be free from school administrative interference. It must provide a user-friendly online platform that guarantees the safety and confidentiality of complainants and has the authority to refer cases to relevant law enforcement agencies, particularly when the acts committed are now classified as criminal under the 2025 amendments. Third, both digital and physical surveillance systems in hostels and schools must be improved. Installing CCTV in strategic locations is not meant to be intrusive but rather to provide real evidence when incidents occur and serve as a preventive tool that enhances students' sense of safety. Fourth, continuous training for wardens, hostel staff, and school administrators must include empathy, trauma management, adolescent psychology, and early intervention—transforming them from mere discipline enforcers into emotional and physical protectors of students. School culture reform must also be a top priority. Harmful 'traditions' that shame, injure, or humiliate juniors in the name of seniority must be abolished and replaced with formal programs that promote positive peer-to-peer relationships and support. Simultaneously, parents and the community should be actively involved through ongoing education about the signs of both victims and perpetrators of bullying. Transparency in communication about incidents must be practiced so external support can be mobilized early. Action, not just awareness Bullying is not just a student's problem—it's a reflection of how seriously we take the safety, dignity, and mental wellbeing of our children. Stronger laws may now be in place, but they will mean very little if schools, families, and communities continue to look the other way. The true test is not in passing amendments—it is in whether we change how we respond, listen, and protect. Every time a complaint is dismissed, every time a child is told to 'toughen up,' and every time witnesses stay silent, we reinforce a culture that allows fear to grow and pain to fester. We must stop normalising suffering. We must replace silence with accountability, and fear with support. Because no child should ever feel alone, unheard, or unsafe in a place meant to nurture their future. The next time bullying happens—and it will—the only question that matters is this: Did we do enough to stop it? 'Bullying is not a culture, it is a crime. Every child deserves to learn in a safe, dignified, and protected environment.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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