KUALA LUMPUR — Government ministries are aligning their actions to enforce new anti-bullying laws, with the Cabinet warning that such behaviour will no longer go unpunished.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the matter was discussed at today’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in light of recent incidents, including the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir.
“The prime minister made it clear that the government will not tolerate bullying in any form or allow such cases to continue without accountability,” Fahmi told reporters after attending a civil service gathering involving more than 30,000 public servants in person and online.
He said ministries, particularly those overseeing educational institutions and student dormitories, are coordinating to ensure the proper implementation of Penal Code amendments that came into force in July.
“We want every ministry to fully understand that under these amendments, bullying is clearly defined and legally recognised as a criminal act. Further enforcement steps will follow,” he said.
The amendments to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code make bullying a criminal offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Offences include harassment, threats, insults and misuse of identity information, with harsher penalties if the bullying causes or is linked to suicide. — August 15, 2025