KOTA TINGGI: The Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill is expected to be presented in Parliament in October, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Azalina, who was earlier given six months to prepare the draft proposal for the Bill, said she hopes to do so sooner.
“We hope to be able to complete the roadshow (engagements with stakeholders) by September.
“Hopefully, we can get a Cabinet decision by the end of September or early October so that we can bring the Bill to Parliament in October, as we will have the final sitting between October and December,” she told the media after officiating the Asean Convention on Legal Aid for Children at the Desaru Coast Convention Centre on Sunday (Sept 7) night.
Azalina said the engagement sessions are being held to gather views on the Bill from all parties, including legal experts and the public.
“We will also be launching a portal, as we want to hear from members of the public who may not have the chance to attend the roadshow.
“We want to listen to the people’s voices, including whether a tribunal would be better, as it allows for shorter hearing periods,” she said.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Azalina had been given six months to prepare and present the draft proposal on the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill to the Cabinet.
He said the draft proposal would only be presented after Azalina holds engagement sessions with all stakeholders nationwide.
