Muhyiddin calls for law to punish both bullies and negligent parties

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has called on the government to enact an anti-bullying law that would take to task both bullies and those who failed to keep students safe.

He said such a law would provide clear policies that authorities can implement to protect students from abuse - physical or emotional.

"We must stand together to fight against bullying which I believe remains rampant.

"It is the proverbial elephant in the room, especially in boarding schools. We must not let this bad and evil practice threaten the safety and lives of our children," he said in a statement today.

The Perikatan Nasional chief was responding to news of an inquest to probe the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir.

Zara was found unconscious in a drain below her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and died the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital I in Kota Kinabalu.

Her family believes bullying may have played a role.

Harmful threats and insults

Previously in December 2024, Parliament passed amendments to the Penal Code aimed at addressing all forms of bullying - including online.

The amendment criminalised threats and insults that result in harm either to victims or others.

On Saturday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri said there was no need for a new law to address bullying.

However, she said the government may explore improvements to existing laws instead.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also called for an end to bullying in all forms, whether against children or adults.

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