Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim has urged the government to roll out a nationwide anti-bullying campaign starting from primary school, warning that failure to address the issue early could produce a generation lacking respect and compassion.
In a Facebook post, Sultan Ibrahim stressed the importance of instilling awareness and discipline among children from a young age. “Children must be educated about this issue from an early age, and will learn the importance of mutual respect and discipline through such campaigns,” he said.
The King highlighted that bullying has severe consequences, not only harming the mental and emotional well-being of victims but also leading to tragedies. He welcomed recent amendments to the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, which officially criminalise bullying and impose penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. The offences covered include harassment, threats, insults, bullying, and misuse of identity, with harsher punishments if the act leads to suicide attempts or death by provocation.
Sultan Ibrahim also called for a cross-ministerial approach to tackle bullying effectively, ensuring that the issue is addressed in schools, workplaces, and beyond.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also demanded an end to bullying in all settings, citing recent tragedies including the death of Form 1 student Zara Qairina Mahathir and tahfiz student Wan Ahmad Faris Wan Abdul Rahman.
