Latest news with #GerakanGubalAktaAnti-Buli
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Govt urged to take concrete action against bullying
PETALING JAYA: An NGO is calling for the government to take proactive measures to address the issue of bullying and enact an anti-bullying law. Gerakan Gubal Akta Anti-Buli (GAB) chairman Wan Azliana Wan Adnan said: 'We sent a memorandum and a report about bullying back in 2022 and we were called by the Education Ministry to discuss the issue. We also had an MoU with universities but because of a lack of funding, all our efforts had to stop.' Wan Azliana said this is why GAB is urging the government to introduce an anti-bullying law. 'The government needs to take action now before more bullying cases happen.' She said according to Education Ministry statistics, bullying cases in schools continue to show an upward trend each year. In 2022, a total of 7,360 bullying cases were reported among secondary school students. This number increased by 20% to 8,820 cases in 2023 and as of October 2024, 5,703 cases were recorded, involving 11,594 students. The reported cases involved either physical bullying such as pushing or hitting, and threatening or verbal bullying, which includes insults, use of abusive language and mocking in front of peers. Wan Azliana said the phenomenon of cyberbullying has also become increasingly complex and difficult to control as students use social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok to spread hate messages, embarrassing images or videos of bullying incidents. A 2023 study by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission revealed that one in three secondary school students had experienced cyberbullying but more than half of them did not report the incidents due to fear of retaliation or a lack of trust in the school system. 'We urge the government to promptly enact an anti-bullying law as an umbrella law that covers all forms of bullying – physical, verbal, cyber, mental and any form of harassment. 'This Act must provide a clear definition of bullying and outline the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved, including institutional administrators, perpetrators and victims.' She said the Act's aim should not only be to educate and prevent bullying but also to ensure that justice is served, voices of the victims are heard and confidence in the legal system is strengthened. Wan Azliana also said GAB would be starting a petition drive to gather support from the public for the introduction of the Act.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Need for clear legal definitions of bullying
KUALA LUMPUR: Having clear legal definitions of bullying would make it easier to teach children about the issue, says a child psychologist. Dr Noor Aishah Rosli, of the Gerakan Gubal Akta Anti-Buli (GAB) group, said an anti-bullying legislation would help teachers and parents explain to children exactly what constitutes bullying. 'A law has to explicitly define bullying. Is it pushing? Is it rough action towards victims? 'If the actions are clearly spelled out, psychologists can address the issue more effectively,' she said at a press conference in Setiawangsa yesterday. GAB, which has been advocating for a specific anti-bullying law since 2022, is proposing penalties such as community service, rehabilitation centre placement or class demotion paired with mandatory counselling. Noor Aishah said the root of the problem often starts at home, making early education vital. 'Parents and teachers, starting from preschool, are crucial in educating children on this,' she said. Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, also present at the press conference, said existing laws are limited and lack robustness. 'Bullying is widespread and not limited to schoolchildren. 'We are not dismissing current measures, but a separate, specific law is needed,' he said. GAB president and lawyer Wan Azliana Wan Adnan noted that the government had enacted the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, questioning why a similar effort could not be made for bullying. 'We have submitted a memorandum and report on the issue to the relevant ministries, legal departments, as well as the Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry,' she said. Wan Azliana also stressed that the proposed law differs from the recent Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code amendments, which target physical and cyber bullying. 'There are existing laws with various sections related to bullying, but a specific anti-bullying law would clearly outline everything in one place and define what bullying is,' she said.
