Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has called on the government to implement a comprehensive anti-bullying campaign starting from primary school.
In a Facebook post, Sultan Ibrahim said failing to curb bullying from a young age risked creating a generation that lacks respect and compassion for others.
“Children must be educated about this issue from an early age… and will learn the importance of mutual respect and discipline through such campaigns,” he said.
Sultan Ibrahim added that bullying not only damages the mental and emotional well-being of victims but can also lead to serious tragedies.
He said recent amendments to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code to address bullying had demonstrated the government’s commitment to tackling the issue.
The amendments make bullying a criminal offence, with penalties of up to 10 years’ jail.
The offences covered include harassment, threats, bullying, insults and misuse of identity information, with heavier penalties if such actions lead to suicide attempts or suicide caused by provocation.
Sultan Ibrahim also said that a cross-ministerial approach was needed to ensure that bullying is addressed comprehensively.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for an immediate end to bullying in schools and the workplace, including at hospitals.
He was commenting on several cases including the recent death of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir and that of tahfiz student Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman.
