KUCHING: Public awareness and prevention efforts will remain a key focus in addressing bullying cases, alongside the implementation of the newly advanced Anti-Bullying Act 2026.
Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said greater efforts are needed to help the public understand what constitutes bullying, the different forms it can take and the measures available to prevent it.
She said many bullying incidents still go unreported, while some cases only come to the attention of authorities or the wider community after they have escalated.
“For the Sarawak government, particularly through the Social Development Council, efforts to raise awareness and strengthen preventive measures are extremely important, and remain among the key priorities and focus areas of the ministry.
“We know that enforcement of the law is very important. Laws must be in place, and they must also be enforced,” she said, according to a TVS report.
Fatimah said this after launching a book titled Inovasi Pedagogi Melalui Reka Bentuk Pembelajaran Dipertingkat Teknologi here today (June 22).
She said advocacy programmes also play a role in informing the public on the appropriate actions to take when bullying occurs, including where reports can be lodged and what support services are available.
She noted that Sarawak had established committees to coordinate anti-bullying initiatives, particularly those involving school students.
“The existence of a clear legal framework is necessary because it provides a mechanism to determine the appropriate action against those who commit bullying offences.
“We view this as a positive development,” she said.
Fatimah added that the state’s anti-bullying governance structure would focus not only on action against perpetrators but also on ensuring victims receive the assistance they need.
She said bullying could leave lasting emotional and psychological effects on victims, making timely intervention and support essential.
Under the framework, the Social Development Council will serve as the coordinating body for information gathering, awareness campaigns and preventive measures.
Fatimah said the government also wanted to ensure bullying offenders faced appropriate consequences to dispel any perception that reports would go unanswered.
Commenting on provisions in the proposed law that could hold parents accountable if their children bully others, she said the matter should be viewed from the perspective of parental responsibility.
“Parents have a duty to guide their children and teach them not to resort to violence or intimidate others.
“Nevertheless, each case must be assessed based on its own facts and circumstances before any conclusion is made,” she said.
She added that assigning a degree of responsibility to parents was reasonable, while stressing that all adults involved in a child’s upbringing shared a collective role in providing guidance and support.
