KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — The Anti-Bully Bill 2025, which aims to introduce dedicated mechanisms for handling bullying complaints, among others, was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said stated that the second reading is scheduled for Wednesday (December 3).
The Bill, comprising 54 clauses, seeks to prevent and manage bullying in educational institutions and other institutions, to establish a tribunal for anti-bullying, to raise awareness and promote prevention of bullying, and to provide for related matters.
Clause 29 seeks to provide that the jurisdiction of the tribunal is to hear any complaint of bullying made by any parent or guardian of the victim in accordance with the circumstances provided under the proposed Act.
Clause 30 seeks to provide for the exclusion of the court's jurisdiction where a complaint of bullying is lodged with the tribunal by any complainant.
Subclause 31(4) seeks to provide that for any proceedings involving a child, the tribunal shall conduct such proceedings in an informal and child-friendly manner and suitably in accordance with the age, maturity, and circumstances of the child.
The tribunal shall give priority to resolving the complaint of bullying by mediating an agreed resolution between the parties, provided that both parties give informed consent to the mediation process and that the tribunal has determined that mediation is appropriate in all the circumstances.
Where the parties reach an agreed resolution in the mediation sessions, the tribunal shall approve and record it, and it shall then take effect as if it were an award of the tribunal.
In making an award under Section 42, the tribunal may issue one or more orders, including in cases where the respondent is an adult, directing the respondent to publish a statement of apology to the victim in any manner as specified in the order.
An order for the respondent to remove any content relating to bullying from any social media platform, electronic device, or digital storage medium and an order for the respondent, or in the case of a child respondent, the parent or guardian, to pay any compensation or damages not exceeding RM250,000 for any loss or damage suffered by the victim in respect of the bully.
