More Than 5,000 Bullying Cases Reported in Schools in First Eight Months of This Year – Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – [UPDATED] A total of 5,681 bullying cases were reported in schools nationwide from January to August this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

He said the statistics included cases of physical bullying, verbal bullying, non-verbal bullying and cyberbullying.

Anwar said, however, the actual number could be higher, taking into account the possibility that some bullying and disciplinary misconduct cases at educational institutions may have gone unreported because certain school administrators sought to protect their schools’ image.

“So, do not conceal these cases because it is the children who will suffer. That is the wrong approach. I agree that in cases such as these, regardless of the reason, action must be taken swiftly and firmly,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) on why cases threatening student safety continued to occur in schools despite various safety guidelines and procedures being put in place.

The Prime Minister called on parents to play their part and shoulder responsibility in monitoring their children’s education and safety, rather than placing the responsibility entirely on educators.

“Monitoring, hostels, safety audits, student supervision capacity, counselling, mental health issues and well-being initiatives — all these have been undertaken by the Ministry of Education. Are they sufficient? I do not think so, because this issue is extremely challenging and requires the involvement of all parties.

“Why are there parents who barely pay any attention to their children’s welfare? There may be stricter supervision in hostels, but without parental awareness, how can parents not know whether their children have returned home, even as late as 11pm or midnight?” he said.

He said records from several reported bullying cases showed that almost all the students involved had expressed disappointment over not being treated well by their parents.

“I do not mean to blame parents, but this means that family responsibility — the family unit — must form the foundation. A nation is built upon strong family units. So, in cases like these, we should not merely express regret after a report is made; we must work together to resolve the problem.

“I hope the media can also play a role in urging parents to be more responsible. Many studies have shown that some parents in urban areas are either too busy or under pressure from the demands of life, resulting in their children being neglected,” he said.

Responding to Saifuddin’s supplementary question on the government’s efforts to ensure that the responsibility of addressing bullying is not placed entirely on educators, Anwar said various measures had been implemented to curb the problem, including increasing the number of guidance and counselling teachers as well as assistant wardens in school hostels.

He said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) were also allowed to officially enter school premises at any time while in uniform, while 400 wardens had been trained in psychosocial skills and support.

“The authority of principals, headmasters and disciplinary committees has also been expanded, while disciplinary powers can also be delegated to teachers.

“We are also improving the student disciplinary system, listening to students’ voices and concerns, carrying out advocacy efforts, outlining school student protection policies and implementing mental health screenings, following concerns raised over mental health issues,” he said.

Responding to a supplementary question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) on whether the government was prepared to implement Islamic law in imposing punishment for bullying cases, Anwar said a more integrated implementation of the law was indeed necessary in efforts to address bullying.

Meanwhile, he said the government had, in principle, approved a proposal to strengthen the institution of the Syariah Courts in the country.

“The matter will subsequently be referred back to the Conference of Rulers, which is scheduled to convene within the next few weeks,” he said.

Bernama