Addressing School Bullying in Malaysia: Doctrinal Gaps, Legal Accountability, and Reform Imperatives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.v10i1.4604Keywords:
Bullying, Injury, Malaysian School System, Psychological Effects, TortureAbstract
Education plays a central role in Malaysia’s aspiration to attain developed nation status, with schools functioning not only as institutions of learning but also as environments responsible for students’ physical, emotional, and psychological safety. In recent years, bullying has emerged as a serious and growing concern within Malaysian schools, reflecting a global trend. National statistics show an increase in reported bullying cases between 2021 and 2023, underscoring the urgency of effective legal and institutional responses. While not all incidents result in physical harm or death, bullying often causes significant psychological trauma, adversely affecting students’ mental health, academic performance, and long-term well-being. Perpetrators, in turn, may face disciplinary and legal consequences. From a legal standpoint, school bullying in Malaysia is addressed indirectly through a fragmented framework comprising criminal law, tort principles, child protection legislation, and internal school disciplinary mechanisms. This lack of a dedicated legal framework has created uncertainty regarding the respective duties and liabilities of schools, teachers, parents, and students, resulting in inconsistent enforcement and remedies. This article employs qualitative legal research methods, drawing on library research and content analysis of statutes, reported cases, academic literature, and parliamentary debates. It evaluates the effectiveness of the existing legal approach and doctrinally synthesises relevant pre-2025 case law. The study also adopts a comparative perspective by examining legal approaches in the United Kingdom, India, and Singapore. The findings reveal significant legal gaps and inconsistencies that undermine victim protection and effective intervention. Accordingly, the article advocates a more holistic and coherent legal framework to address school bullying within Malaysia’s education system.Downloads
References
Abdul Patah, F. M., & Aziz, I. H. “Pelajar ‘Usia Emas’ Belum Sesuai Ke Sekolah Berasrama Penuh.” Berita Harian, n.d. https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2023/12/1190984/pelajar-usia-emas-belum-sesuai-ke-sekolah-berasrama-penuh.
Ajos, Ercy Gracella. “Mangsa Buli Siber Bunuh Diri Bila Tiada Sokongan Sosial, Desakan Emosi—Pakar [Cyberbullying Victims May Resort to Suicide When Lacking Social Support and Facing Emotional Pressure – Expert].” Berita Harian, n.d. https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2024/07/1273886/mangsa-buli-siber-bunuh-diri-bila-tiada-sokongan-sosial-desakan.
Al., Ngo Yew Yung et. “Gejala Buli Secara Fizikal Yang Semakin Berleluasa Di Sekolah (Physical Bullying Are Increasingly Prevalent in Schools).” International Journal of Humanities, Management and Social Science 2, no. 1 (2019): 65–75.
Al., Vikneswaran Sabramani et. “Bullying and Its Associated Individual, Peer, Family, and School Factors: Evidence from Malaysian National Secondary School Students,.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 13 (2021): 7208. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137208.
Al, Maria M. Ttofi et. “Do the Victims of School Bullies Tend to Become Depressed Later in Life? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies.” Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research 3, no. 1 (2011): 63–73. https://doi.org/https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1108/17596591111132873.
Al, Mohd Razimi bin Husin et. “Pelajar Introvert Di Sekolah.” Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 2, no. 1 (2020): 22–33. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36079/lamintang.jhass-0201.100.
Al, Natthapon Sokantat et. “Thai Culture: The Foundation of School Bullying.” International Journal of Criminal Justice Science 16, no. 2 (2021): 369–84.
“An Islamic School or Madrasa Primarily Focused on Qur’an Memorization,” n.d.
Ariffin, Latifah. “Kes Buli Di Sekolah Meningkat - Timbalan Menteri Pendidikan.” HMetro, 2023. https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2023/11/1025806/kes-buli-di-sekolah-meningkat-timbalan-menteri-pendidikan.
Circular of the Ministry of Education Malaysia No. 12 of 2023 on the Implementation of the Guidelines for Managing Bullying Misconduct in Educational Institutions under the Ministry of Education Malaysia.
Bernama. “Lahad Datu Student Murder: 13 Teenagers Pleaded Not Guilty,” 2023. https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=2328643.
“Dewan Negara Passes Landmark Anti-Bullying Bill and Two Others,” n.d. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/1338680/dewan-negara-passes-landmark-anti-bullying-bill-and-two-others.
Education Act, 2012, s. 2 (U.K.).
Education and Inspections Act, 2006, s. 89(5), (U.K).
Education, Singapore Ministry of. “Bullying Cases in Schools.” Ministry of Education, Singapore, September 12, 2022, n.d. https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/20220912-bullying-cases-in-schools.
Et.al., Ahmad Shamsul Abd Aziz. “Buli Siber: Analisis Undang-Undang Di Malaysia.” International Journal of Law, Government and Communication 7, no. 29 (2022): 276–284.
Et.al, Emilia Man. “Pembangunan Modul Kaunseling Intervensi Dalam Menangani Isu Tingkahlaku Langsang Dalam Kalangan Murid Sekolah Menengah (Development of an Intervention Counselling Module in Addressing the Issue of Violent Be-Haviour Among Secondary School Students).” Jurnal Pendidikan Bitara UPSI 16 (2023): 24–41. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37134/bitara.vol16.sp2.3.2023.
Et.al, Helen J Nelson. “Preadolescent Children’s Perception of Power Imbalance in Bullying: A Thematic Analysis,.” PLoS 14, no. 3 (2019). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211124.
Gladden, R. Matthew, Alana M. Vivolo-Kantor, Merle E. Hamburger, and Corey D. Lumpkin. “Bullying Surveillance among Youths: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements” 1 (2014). https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21596#tabs-2.
Government, UK. “Bullying at School: Bullying - A Definition,” 2024. https://www.gov.uk/bullying-at-school/bullying-a-definition.
Harian, Bahagian Pengurusan Sekolah. “Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, Panduan Pengurusan Menangani Buli Di Sekolah.” Translated Title: Guidelines for Managing Bullying in Schools, 2014.
Isa, N. I. Mat. “Bullying Problems Among School Students.” Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 9, no. 2 (2020): 22–33.
Limber, Dewey Cornell and Susan P. “Law and Policy on the Concept of Bullying at School.” The American Psychologist 70, no. 4 (2015): 333–43. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038558.
Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1999.
Malaysia, Ministry of Education. “Circular and Guidelines for the Appointment and Portfolio of Boarding School Wardens under the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM).” Ministry of Education Malaysia, n.d. https://www.moe.gov.my/index.php/surat-edaran-dan-garis-panduan-pelantikan-dan-portfolio-warden-asrama-sekolah-berasrama-di-bawah-kpm#.
“Malaysia Passes Historic Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 to Protect Children, Set up Tribunal.” Malaymail, n.d. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/12/03/malaysia-passes-historic-anti-bullying-bill-2025-to-protect-children-set-up-tribunal/200638.
Manap, Abnor Hamizam Abd. “8 Pelajar Sekolah Agama Swasta Didakwa Cedera 3 Pelajar.” Berita Harian, n.d. https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/kes/2024/11/1322500/8-pelajar-sekolah-agama-swasta-didakwa-cedera-3-pelajar.
Mustapa Kamal, Siti Fadhlina, Siti Khadijah Mohd Nasrah, and Syed Mohamad Syed Abdullah. “Persepsi Kaunselor Terhadap Gangguan Stres Pasca Trauma (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Mangsa Buli Di Malaysia: Counsellor Perception of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Bullying Victim in Malaysia.” Sains Insani 6, no. 1 (2021): 217–26. https://doi.org/10.33102/sainsinsani.vol6no1.277.
NSW Department of Education. (2025). Understanding bullying. https://education.nsw.gov.au/schooling/schooling-initiatives/anti-bullying/educators/understanding-bullying
Noor, Hafidzul Hilmi Mohd. “14-Year-Old Reported Missing Found; Ran Away from Boarding School to Escape Bullies,.” New Straits Times, 2023. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/12/988277/14-year-old-reported-missing-found-ran-away-boarding-school-escape.
Nur Azilah Ismail, Norliza Abdul Majid, and Parvathy Rajan Naidu. “Cyberbullying and Emotional Implications Among Secondary School Students: Buli Siber Dan Implikasi Emosi Dalam Kalangan Murid Sekolah Menengah.” Jurnal Pendidikan Bitara UPSI 14, no. 1 (2021): 62–69. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37134/bitara.vol14.1.7.2021.
Olweus, Dan. “Bullying at School: Basic Facts and Effects of a School-Based Intervention Program.” Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 35 (1994): 1171–1190.
———. “Bullying at School.” In Aggressive Behaviour, Ed. L. Rowell Huesmann, The Plenum Series in Social/Clinical Psychology, 1994, 101–21. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9116-7_5.
“Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 (Act A1750),” n.d.
Peter K. Smith and Sonia Sharp, Eds. “School Bullying: Insights and Perspectives.” New York: Routledge, 1994 2 (n.d.).
“Please Note That the Anti-Bully Act 2025 Was Passed by the Malaysian Parliament on 3 December 2025 and Subsequently Received Royal Assent from His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on 10 King Signs Anti-Bullying Act 2026 into Law January 2026.” Offering New Protections for Victims, n.d. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/10/king-signs-antibullying-act-2026-into-law-offering-new-protections-for-victims/204907#google_vignette.
Riduan, Juwan. “Pelajar Kolej Vokasional Maut Dibelasah Dalam Asrama (Vocational College Student Dies After Being Beaten in the Dormitory).” Berita Harian, 2024.
Roslan, Suraya. “Buli Siber Esha: Wanita Didenda RM100, Pemandu Lori Minta Bicara.” Harian Metro, n.d. https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2024/07/1111832/buli-siber-esha-wanita-didenda-rm100-pemandu-lori-minta-bicara.
Salmivalli, Ersilia Menesini and Christina. “Bullying in Schools: The State of Knowledge and Effective Interventions.” Psychology, Health & Medicine 22, no. 1 (2017): 240–53. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2017.1279740.
"Section 3(1) of the New Anti-Bully Act 2025 Provides a Relatively Clear Definition of Bullying. However, It Would Be Beneficial to Include 'Omission' as Part of the Definition of Bullying. For Example, When Someone Is Intentionally Left out of Group Activity," n.d.
Shuaib, Iwan Shu-Aswad. “Mangsa Buli Lari Dari Rumah Balas Duka Ibu Bapa Dengan Keputusan 7A - ’Teringat Betapa Bimbangnya Mereka Masa Saya Lari Dulu.” MStar, 2019.
Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1997.
Times, New Straits. “Vocational,” 2024. https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/03/1029223/vocational.
UNICEF. “Behind the Numbers: Ending School Violence and Bullying.” New York: UNICEF, 2019. https://www.unicef.org/media/66496/file/Behind-the-Numbers.pdf.
William E. Copeland, Dieter Wolke, Adrian Angold, and E. Jane Costello. “Adult Psychiatric Outcomes of Bullying and Being Bullied by Peers in Childhood and Adolescence.” JAMA Psychiatry 70, no. 4 (2013): 419–26. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.504.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sriwijaya Law Review
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
