SHAH ALAM, Jan 23 — No complaints involving workplace bullying or harassment were recorded nationwide throughout 2025, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan revealed.
This is despite a staggering 13,374 employment-related complaints received by the Labour Department last year.
“The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) takes issues of workplace harassment and bullying seriously as they affect employees’ well-being, organisational productivity and the harmony of industrial relations,” he said in a written parliamentary reply yesterday.
Ramanan, however, did not provide a breakdown of the complaints received.
According to the minister, there is currently no specific provision on workplace harassment and bullying under the Employment Act 1955, the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67).
“However, these laws provide that employers must conduct investigations into complaints related to sexual harassment and also display notices on sexual harassment at the workplace premises.
“Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514), employers are required to safeguard employees’ mental health, including issues of bullying whether verbal, behavioural, emotional or cyber.”
On prevention efforts, Ramanan said education and awareness programmes are implemented for employers and employees regarding rights, responsibilities and complaint mechanisms.
"A total of 1,155 education and awareness programmes were implemented nationwide by the Labour Department in 2025.
“Improvements to the complaint system have also been implemented through the introduction of complaint platforms, such as the e-Aduan@JTKSM application, to ensure complaints can be lodged quickly, securely and confidentially.”
Additionally, Ramanan said the Labour Department continuously enforces relevant laws to ensure employers comply with regulations protecting workers’ rights.
He also noted that the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 and the Penal Code (Amendment) 2025, which falls under Home Ministry’s jurisdiction, have introduced new provisions to address bullying, whether physical, cyber or emotional.
