GEORGE TOWN, Sept 26 — The government will hold town hall sessions directly with students from primary schools to universities to gather their views on the proposed Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill, said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said
The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the student engagement sessions, set to begin in October, were decided upon after a participant in a previous session questioned if students would be given a chance to be involved.
“We need to get the students’ opinions on this too,” she said at a press conference after an Anti-Bullying Town Hall session for Penang and Perak at SJKC Aik Hua here today.
She stressed that town hall sessions are crucial for the government to listen to feedback from all stakeholders — including teachers, parents, and now students — before finalising the bill.
The primary purpose of the tribunal is to create an effective platform to resolve bullying cases without involving the courts, ensuring faster resolution for incidents not charged under the Penal Code, she explained
Azalina said that feedback from previous town halls has been valuable, with participants stressing that the tribunal must be an authoritative and effective body, not merely a symbolic gesture.
“Some have suggested that the tribunal must be effective and fast in handling reported cases to show that the country does not tolerate bullying,” she said.
Other suggestions included creating a child-friendly reporting system, such as a dedicated hotline, to ensure easy access for students.
“The system must not be too complicated with too many questions that will deter students from using it to report bullying cases,” she added.
Regarding consequences, Azalina noted a consensus that the approach should not be punitive, but should instead focus on restorative justice, education, and rehabilitation.
She expressed hope that all stakeholder engagement sessions, including those with students, can be concluded by October.
Following this, a final proposal will be presented to the Cabinet for approval, with the government aiming to table the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill in Parliament this December.
