KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- Awareness of the existence of the Anti-Bullying Tribunal (TAB) as a dedicated channel for addressing bullying cases involving children and teenagers needs to be increased, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said this was important to ensure that bullying victims were aware that there was an alternative channel for lodging complaints if the school failed to take action or provide an appropriate response to reports made.
“In any case, if someone is dissatisfied because the school does not pick up their report, they can go directly to the Tribunal. And bullying is not necessarily physical bullying; it could be emotional bullying. So, this intervention is important.
“...and what is very important is to raise awareness among children that the TAB exists,” she said at a press conference at the Parliament building here today.
She said the approach to tackling bullying should not focus solely on punishment, but that intervention and rehabilitation should also be given attention to address the problem more effectively.
“We already have the system. As for punishment alone, I personally do not really support that because to punish someone, they have to be arrested, and to arrest someone, there is due process, and going to court also involves due process.
“The Tribunal can shorten the process, and the Tribunal that we have established does not impose punishment but provides rehabilitation,” she said.
The TAB was established under the Anti-Bullying Act 2026, which came into force and was launched on June 16. According to Azalina, the Tribunal has received more than 60 reports of bullying cases since its launch.
“That is what we have received in reports. What about those who do not report? So, if you (the victim) feel uncomfortable and you feel that you have been harassed or bullied, even by your friends or classmates, or your teachers, or your peers, whether male or female, you can report it to the Tribunal,” she stressed.
-- BERNAMA