The children’s commissioners of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) express their strong support for the official establishment and launch of the Anti-Bullying Tribunal by the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for law and institutional reform, Azalina Othman Said, on 16 June.
This marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to create safer, more inclusive and child-friendly learning environments for all children.
The establishment of the tribunal demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to protecting children from all forms of bullying and violence, while ensuring that complaints are addressed through an accessible, child-sensitive, and effective redress mechanism.
The launch of the tribunal also reflects a collective national effort to strengthen child protection measures and uphold every child’s right to safety, dignity and education.
The children’s commissioners welcome the coming into force of the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 on 16 June. With the act now operational, educational institutions are required to establish and implement six protective mechanisms for the prevention and management of bullying incidents.
Pursuant to Section 7(1) of the Act, educational institutions are required to:
- Establish and maintain a committee for the prevention and management of bullying cases
- Implement policies, guidelines and procedures for the prevention and management of bullying cases
- Establish accessible and child-sensitive reporting channels while ensuring the confidentiality of information relating to students who report bullying incidents
- Provide counselling services and psychosocial support for victims and other persons affected by bullying cases
- Conduct training programmes on the prevention and management of bullying cases
- Achieve such standards of compliance relating to the prevention and management of bullying cases as may be determined by the minister.
The children’s commissioners particularly welcome the establishment of a free and accessible complaint mechanism through the Anti-Bullying Tribunal, enabling victims and their parents or guardians to seek redress from an independent mechanism without financial burden.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), Maybank a/c 507246118995 or CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a regular pledge or periodic auto-donation to Aliran
- Become an Aliran member
Information on the tribunal, including complaint procedures, relevant resources and online complaint submissions, can be accessed through the Anti-Bullying Tribunal portal.
The children’s commissioners acknowledge the collaborative and consultative process undertaken by the government throughout the development and enactment of the Anti-Bullying Act and leading up to the establishment of the Anti-Bullying Tribunal.
Since the early stages of policy formulation till the drafting of the bill process and the establishment of the tribunal, the children’s commissioners have been actively involved in various engagement and consultation sessions, providing recommendations and perspectives grounded in children’s rights principles and the best interests of the child.
The children’s commissioner are particularly pleased that children and young persons were meaningfully engaged throughout the consultation process and that their views were duly considered in the development of this important legislation.
In line with their promotion and oversight mandates, the children’s commissioners have also supported the Ministry of Education in the development of child protection policies and have offered their expertise and assistance to other relevant agencies in establishing mechanisms required under the act.
The children’s commissioner are also encouraged by the statutory roles entrusted to them under the Anti-Bullying Act. These responsibilities reinforce independent oversight and accountability in the implementation of anti-bullying measures nationwide.
In this regard, the children’s commissioners also welcome the provision of adequate resources and budgetary support to them to effectively fulfil their responsibilities, in line with the recommendations contained in the February 2026 Committee on the Rights of the Child’s concluding observation on Malaysia.
Among the key functions accorded to the children’s commissioners under the Act are:
- Receiving and reviewing audit reports relating to bullying prevention and response measures from educational institutions under the Ministry of Education, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), the Ministry of Defence and the Social Welfare Department
- Receiving quarterly reports and complaint statistics from the Anti-Bullying Tribunal for monitoring and oversight purposes
- Monitoring and making recommendations concerning the prevention and management of bullying cases in educational institutions and institutions
- Conducting education, awareness, outreach and promotional programmes on anti-bullying initiatives and children’s rights
- Reporting annually on activities relating to the prevention and management of bullying cases in educational institutions and institutions to Parliament
The children’s commissioners believe that the success of the Anti-Bullying Tribunal will depend on the collective commitment of all stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, parents, teachers, civil society organisations and children themselves.
No child should be subjected to bullying, harassment, or intimidation in any educational setting. The establishment of the tribunal sends a clear message that bullying will not be tolerated and that children have the right to seek redress when their rights are violated.
The children’s commissioners remain committed to working closely with the relevant institutions and all other stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the Anti-Bullying Act and to promote a culture of respect, empathy and safety for every child in Malaysia. – Suhakam’s children’s commissioners
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
