KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 2026 — A total of 5,681 bullying cases were reported in schools nationwide between January and August this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
The cases covered physical, verbal, non-verbal and cyberbullying. Anwar warned that the true figure is likely higher, as some incidents at educational institutions may have gone unreported because administrators wanted to protect their schools’ reputation.
“The problem is that sometimes the perpetrators are protected because they do not want the school’s image tarnished. They want to protect the school’s reputation and report only the good things, when in reality children feel victimised and distressed about going to school,” he said during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“So do not hide these cases. The victims are suffering and we are not addressing it, and that is a very wrong approach. I agree that in cases like these, whatever the reason, action must be taken swiftly and firmly.”
He described bullying as a difficult problem that requires the involvement of all parties, and questioned why some parents appear almost completely unaware of their children’s welfare.
“In hostels, there are stricter controls, but how can parents be unaware of whether their children have returned home or not by 11 pm or midnight?” he said.
Records of several reported cases showed that almost all the students involved had expressed frustration over not being treated well by their parents.
“I do not mean to blame the parents, but this means that family responsibility, the family unit, must be the foundation. A country is built on strong family units. So in this case, let us not merely express regret after a report has been made; we must work together to resolve it,” he said.
Anwar also called on the media to urge parents to be more responsible, noting that many studies show some parents in urban areas are busy or under pressure and end up neglecting their children.
Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah on measures to ensure the issue is not placed entirely on educators, Anwar said the government has increased the number of guidance and counselling teachers and assistant wardens at hostels.
The Royal Malaysia Police has also been authorised to enter school premises at any time while in uniform. In addition, 400 wardens have been trained in psychosocial skills and support.
The powers of principals, headmasters and disciplinary committees have been strengthened, and disciplinary powers can be delegated to teachers. The student discipline system has been improved, students’ voices and problems have been heard, advocacy efforts have been carried out, a student protection policy for schools has been outlined, and mental health screening has been implemented.
Asked by Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) whether the government was prepared to apply Islamic law in punishing bullying cases, Anwar said more integrated enforcement of the law is necessary.
He said the government has, in principle, approved a motion to strengthen the Syariah Court institution. The matter will be referred back to the Conference of Rulers, which is scheduled to meet in the next few weeks.
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