Bullying complaints mechanism must align with Anti-Bullying Act, MOE told

KUALA LUMPUR: Karen Kasturi, a Wanita PKR Central Leadership Council member, has urged the Education Ministry (MOE) to harmonize its bullying complaint process across schools, District Education Offices, and State Education Departments with the Anti-Bullying Act 2026. Kasturi argues that such an alignment is crucial to guaranteeing prompt safeguards for students.

The proposed alignment should incorporate a route to the Anti-Bullying Tribunal for cases meeting the act's criteria and falling under its purview. Kasturi emphasizes that the complaint system should be uncomplicated, preventing students, parents, or guardians from having to navigate multiple channels without understanding the subsequent actions.

Every serious complaint must trigger a risk assessment concerning the student's safety and well-being, pinpoint the responsible party for action, set a timeline, and involve continuous monitoring, with notifications to parents or guardians. Most importantly, student protection should commence immediately upon receiving a complaint.

Students lodging complaints should also be shielded from retaliation, threats, pressure, stigma, or discrimination for speaking out, Kasturi stated in a recent declaration. The declaration came in the wake of a 14-year-old female student's death allegedly linked to bullying and racist remarks at a Kuala Lumpur school. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek directed the Inspectorate of Schools, the Parliamentary Department of the Prime Minister (PPD), and the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Education Department to swiftly investigate the student's death.

Sidek stressed that all matters of public concern, including bullying and racism, need to be treated seriously and addressed promptly based on facts and due process.