KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — The long-standing issue of bullying, which has caused deep public concern, is now being addressed more decisively through the enforcement of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025, which came into effect in July.
The amendments introduce Sections 507B to 507G, covering offences related to harassment, threats, bullying, insults and identity misuse, including cases where the provoked person attempts or commits suicide as a result.
These offences carry penalties of imprisonment for up to 10 years, fines, or both.
Lawyer Muhammad Akram Abdul Aziz, who has been actively involved in anti-bullying advocacy for five years, said existing provisions such as Sections 351 and 352 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act were too broad and failed to specifically address bullying offences.
He cited the case of A. Rajeswary, better known as Esha, whose death sparked public outrage when the Magistrate’s Court imposed only a RM100 fine on a woman linked to the influencer’s death.
The lawyer from the firm Akram Hizri Azad & Azmir said the penalty imposed, the maximum fine under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955, is no longer effective in delivering impact or deterrence against cyberbullying offenders.
He said the latest amendments reflect the government’s seriousness by introducing Sections 507E and 507F, which criminalise the unauthorised dissemination of personal information, or doxing, now classified as a serious offence.
“I believe these provisions are crucial for addressing cyberbullying, where abuse occurs without physical violence but can cause even greater harm by affecting a person’s emotions and mental well-being,” he emphasised.
While strongly supporting the amendments, Muhammad Akram stressed the importance of incorporating legal education into the school curriculum as well to instil awareness that bullying is a serious crime, not merely a trivial act.
He noted that many still fail to understand the scope of bullying, which goes beyond physical aggression to include body language and verbal acts such as insults and excessive teasing.
“Perhaps the government could consider making legal studies part of the school syllabus, not as complex as at university level, but sufficient to instil basic awareness and reinforce values, similar to what is taught in Islamic Studies or Moral Education,” he said.
This view was supported by Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid, who said harsher penalties alone are insufficient without continuous awareness campaigns and community interventions, including from schools and society.
The senior lecturer at UM’s Faculty of Law noted that bullying is often dismissed as trivial, even though it has long existed in schools and workplaces, only drawing attention when severe cases occur.
“Bullying has been normalised. We must reverse that and treat it as a crime. It should not be seen as a natural part of life.
“Many parents and students think bullying is just part of growing up. We need to highlight its impact. It doesn’t stop at school; it can carry into the workplace,” she said.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil earlier said the government is coordinating the implementation of the new provisions to ensure all parties understand that bullying is a serious crime that cannot be taken lightly. — Bernama
