KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Jaya member of parliament Lee Chean Chung has called for the government to enact anti-bullying legislation in light of recent bullying incidents in schools.
Referring to the recent incident at a vocational college in Lahad Datu where a 17-year-old male student was found dead under suspicious circumstances, he said the incident highlighted an urgent need to take action against the epidemic of bullying among students.
"With a dramatic increase in bullying incidents involving physical, mental, and sexual aspects, I call upon the government to expedite the drafting and presentation of the Anti-Bullying Bill in Parliament.
"Through robust legislation, we can enforce the law fairly and provide better protection for our children," he said in a statement today.
Lee said to date, there was no specific legislation applicable to bullying cases in schools, complicating efforts to address the rising cases of bullying involving physical, mental, and sexual aspects.
"In 2023, Malaysia recorded 4,994 reported bullying cases, a significant increase from 3,887 cases the previous year.
"These figures are not mere statistics; they reflect the emotional suffering, fear, and trauma experienced by our children, with only a small fraction of actual cases being exposed and reported.
"Given the absence of specific acts to address bullying, statistics are also scattered and inaccurate," he said.
He added that the country also ranked second in Asia in cyberbullying among youths, based on the report by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef).
As such, Lee said, society could no longer ignore the need for the Anti-Bullying Bill in the Dewan Rakyat, as statistics revealed a substantial spike in bullying incidences, highlighting the need for prompt action.
"Through robust legislation, we can enforce the law fairly and provide better protection for our children.
"Malaysia urgently requires an act that clarifies the definition of bullying, enforcement areas, and penalties, so that these loopholes can be closed.
"I pledge to continue raising this issue in Parliament as a follow-up to efforts to advocate for the protection and safety of our younger generation."
