Transparency and swift action key for anti-bully portal

The Star

2 days ago

PETALING JAYA: A mobile-friendly and easy-to-use interface are among the features that the Education Ministry can include in its revamped Bullying Complaints Portal, say experts.
Although they are cautiously optimistic about the ministry's decision to revamp the portal, the experts emphasise that for it to be effective, it must be followed through with actual investigations on complaints.
Anti-bullying advocate Wan Azliana Wan Adnan said a complaints portal alone cannot eradicate bullying.
'It must work hand in hand with education and accountability. Teachers and schools should be equipped with training to handle bullying reports with care and sensitivity,' she said.
While the portal should be one of several avenues for lodging complaints, Azliana said what matters most is having clear procedures on how to handle and investigate each complaint.
'For the system to work, students must feel their reports will make a real difference.
'Most importantly, students must have confidence that speaking up will result in genuine action and that they'll be protected, whether reporting their own case or a friend's,' she added.
She also called for a specific Anti-Bullying Act to be legislated to address this issue at its root.
'We need the Act, as every child deserves a safe learning environment, free from fear,' she said.
Children rights group Be My Protector vice-chairman Prof Dr Isdawati Ismail advocated for a simple, mobile-friendly and visually easy-to-understand portal.
'It should allow for one-touch anonymous reporting without requiring unnecessary personal details that could discourage victims from coming forward.
'There should also be multiple language options and a 'quick exit' button,' she said, referring to a feature to hide the page immediately if someone approaches.
She added that transparency of the portal was also essential and that it should have a clear, visible process showing how reports are handled and timelines for action.
'This not only holds schools accountable but also helps students and parents trust the system. Transparency reduces the fear that reports will be ignored or covered up, which too often keeps bullying in the shadows,' she said.
Prof Dr Rahmattullah Khan, Council Member and Past-President of the Malaysian Psychological Association (Psima), said a child-friendly portal design would help ensure the victims feel safe when filing reports.
'The portal should also use age-appropriate language, clear icons, minimal text and by step-by-step guidance, with visual cues or animations,' he said.
Although anonymity is important, he said this could open the possibility for abuse.
'From a psychological standpoint, anonymous reporting can lower barriers for victims and bystanders who fear retaliation, but it also comes with risks.
'Some may feel less responsible for the accuracy of their claims or a small number might use anonymity to make false or exaggerated reports,' he added.
To mitigate this, he said the portal could include a verification step that educates students on the seriousness of false reporting.