GEORGE TOWN, Sept 26 — The government will expand its anti-bullying townhall sessions to include primary and secondary school students next month as part of the public engagement process for drafting the Anti-Bullying Bill.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said stated that these sessions seek to gather students' perspectives, ensuring the voices of children are incorporated into the legislation.
"We want to ensure the bill-drafting process remains transparent and inclusive, considering not only parliamentarians' views but also directly engaging with the public, particularly children," she said.
Azalina was speaking to the press after the Anti-Bullying Townhall session for Penang and Perak today, which involved teachers, parents, elected representatives, and community leaders.
She added that the government also plans to engage university students on the issue through these sessions in collaboration with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.
Feedback from previous engagement sessions highlighted the need to broaden the legal definition of bullying so it is not limited to those under 18.
Today's townhall participants also stressed the importance of ensuring the proposed anti-bullying tribunal would be effective, not merely symbolic.
They emphasised the necessity for child-friendly complaint mechanisms, like an easily accessible hotline and procedures that do not further burden the victim.
"Many also suggested that penalties should be more remedial and restorative, like counselling, community service, or fines, rather than imprisonment. This aligns with the need to preserve every child's right to education," Azalina said.
The minister clarified that the Bill is not intended merely to punish but also to provide an alternative platform for resolving bullying cases out of court.
Subsequent townhall sessions will be held with boarding schools and other stakeholder groups to gather more comprehensive input before the final draft of the Bill is tabled in Parliament this December.
