WHEN the government first introduced the idea of an Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill, many naturally assumed it would be aimed at schoolchildren. This is hardly surprising – the word bullying often conjures images of playground taunts, classroom cliques, or viral videos of teenagers being humiliated.
But as Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said recently revealed, the reality is far broader. Feedback gathered from town hall sessions and through the Institutional Reform Map (PetaRI) portal makes it clear that bullying does not stop at the school gates. It persists well into adulthood, taking root in colleges, workplaces, and even professional institutions.
She pointed out that cases have been reported not only in higher education institutions but also in police and military colleges. In response, her ministry is now studying proposals to widen the Bill’s scope beyond those under 18.
This is an important conversation – because bullying does not magically vanish on a person’s 18th birthday. We often underestimate how pervasive it is in adult spaces. Yet from offices to construction sites, hospitals to retail floors, countless workplaces remain rife with subtle and overt forms of bullying.
Talk to blue-collar workers, and you will often hear stories of verbal abuse, humiliation, intimidation, and even physical aggression from superiors or peers. Speak to older employees, and many will quietly admit to being side-lined, mocked, or ostracised by younger colleagues. Some endure the constant belittling in silence, simply to keep their jobs.
These behaviours may not leave visible bruises, but they wound dignity and erode self-worth. Over time, they crush morale and create toxic environments. Research has consistently linked workplace bullying to stress-related illnesses, frequent absenteeism, falling productivity, and high staff turnover – costs borne not just by individuals, but by organisations and the economy as a whole.
Bullying is not confined to students – it’s a societal ill that thrives wherever power can be abused.
If Malaysia is serious about tackling bullying, the law must reflect its full scope. Limiting the Bill to schools or education institutions risks ignoring, perhaps thousands other victims, who suffer in silence simply because they are adults.
An inclusive Anti-Bullying Tribunal should:
• Cover all sectors – public, private, education, security forces, service industries, and informal labour.
• Protect all ages – from apprentices to senior citizens still working.
• Offer a fast, safe complaint mechanism, similar to the Sexual Harassment Tribunal, to encourage reporting and ensure swift justice.
• Mandate preventive measures – like anti-bullying policies, awareness training, and support systems in all organisations.
When people know there is a clear legal avenue and swift consequences, they are less likely to bully. The goal is not just punishment, but deterrence – and ultimately, a shift in culture.
Bullying thrives in silence: when victims fear retaliation, and when bystanders feel there is no point in intervening. A dedicated tribunal can help break this silence by sending a powerful message – bullying is not “part of the culture”. It is unacceptable behaviour, and it carries consequences.
Such a mechanism would also compel organisations to act responsibly. Human Resources departments would no longer be able to sweep complaints under the rug. Supervisors could no longer brush off mistreatment as “just tough love”. And colleagues would be empowered to speak up, knowing the law stands behind them.
Malaysia has taken a bold step with this proposed Bill. But for it to truly succeed, it must reflect the reality on the ground: bullying does not respect age, rank, or sector. It can take root anywhere people gather – in classrooms, offices, factories, or barracks – and it can quietly destroy lives over time.
Extending protection beyond schools would send a powerful message – that everyone deserves safety and dignity, no matter where they work, study or serve.
The Anti-Bullying Tribunal must not stop at the school gate. It must walk into every workplace, every training college, every office floor, and every factory line. Only then can we say we are truly serious about eradicating bullying from our society.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at drnagrace@gmail.com.
