KOTA KINABALU, Oct 23 — A tribunal aimed at resolving bullying cases within a year could be established in the near future, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said indicated today.
The de facto law and institutional reform minister said the Bill will be presented to the federal Cabinet tomorrow.
“If such cases can be settled in less than a year instead of dragging on for seven or nine years, victims can truly move on,” she said.
She said the proposed tribunal will provide a faster, victim-centred platform for students and youths to seek justice without lengthy police or court procedures.
Azalina said victims dissatisfied with how their cases are handled under existing systems such as the Education Ministry, MARA or other institutions could go directly to the tribunal.
“They don’t have to go to a police station,” she added.
She said the tribunal will function as a quasi-judicial body handling civil matters like compensation, apology or corrective measures rather than criminal prosecution.
Azalina compared it to the Sexual Harassment Tribunal, which she said successfully raised awareness and deterrence through faster resolutions.
“Before, sexual harassment cases took years in court. Now, people think twice before committing such acts because they know there will be consequences,” she said.
The proposed tribunal will follow a similar timeline – ideally settling cases within 60 to 90 days – to ensure fair and timely outcomes for victims, Azalina said.
