Anti-bullying Bill: Stakeholders Urged To Provide Feedback - Azalina

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Stakeholders have been urged to provide constructive feedback to the government during the ongoing engagement sessions on the drafting of the Anti-Bullying Bill (RUU), which will run until the end of this month.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that in addition to sharing their views during face-to-face engagement sessions, stakeholders may also submit suggestions through a dedicated portal developed by the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) at https://petari.bheuu.gov.my.

“The purpose of this town hall is to gather feedback from as many parties as possible, and this is supported by the official launch of the portal. Apart from participating in the sessions, the public can also submit their views online, which we will review and evaluate.

“At the town hall today, we received many views on issues such as responsibility, liability, and corporal punishment. However, we will not be responding to these issues just yet,” she told a press conference after attending the Anti-Bullying Town Hall Session organised by BHEUU.

The town hall session was also attended by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

Azalina said the engagement sessions will continue in several states, including Selangor, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Perak, starting next week.

She said the Anti-Bullying Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming October session, following the completion of all engagement sessions.

"So, we hope we can get the upper house, lower house to pass the bill, and we can enforce the law next year…that is how fast this government wants to respond to the law.

"... but we want to hear more from the public. There is no point for the public to just vent out their anger without giving us constructive criticism or constructive suggestions,” she said.

Meanwhile, BHEUU announced that the engagement session was attended by nearly 300 participants, including representatives from ministries and government agencies, teachers, parents, students, community representatives, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, to discuss integrated initiatives to combat bullying issues nationwide.

"The commitment shown by all parties present today reflects a shared determination to find a comprehensive solution to the issue of bullying," the statement said here tonight.

This is in line with the Cabinet's decision on August 29, which entrusted Azalina to chair the Special Committee to Address Bullying Issues to coordinate strategies between ministries and agencies.

Among the main proposals being considered in the drafting of the Anti-Bullying Bill is the establishment of a special Anti-Bullying Tribunal, which will function as a quasi-judicial body created to handle bullying cases more quickly, in a victim-friendly manner, and with a focus on rehabilitation, especially for cases involving vulnerable individuals under 18 years old.

In addition, BHEUU has also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Education to strengthen the implementation of legal understanding for educators in efforts to prevent sexual offenses against children and to develop a model Anti-Bullying Law for children.

"Although there are sufficient legal provisions, the legal approach cannot be solely punishment-oriented, especially when the perpetrators of bullying are children or adolescents.

"Instead, the main emphasis will be on rehabilitation and education, in line with the Children Act 2001. The proposed tribunal system is seen as more suitable because it allows for solutions that lead to rehabilitation, not just imprisonment," the statement said.

-- BERNAMA