The Education Ministry says more time and data are needed to assess the Anti-Bullying Act 2026, which is still in its early stages of implementation.
PETALING JAYA: The effectiveness of the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 in reducing bullying in schools cannot yet be comprehensively assessed, as more time and data are needed, the Education Ministry said.
In a written parliamentary reply, the ministry said the Act, which came into force in stages from March 1, was still in the early stages of implementation.
“Therefore, changes in the number of cases over a short period cannot be directly attributed solely to the implementation of the Act,” it said.
The ministry was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota-PN), who asked about the effectiveness of the Act and the ‘Friends Look Out for Friends’ programme in addressing bullying in schools.
The ministry said the establishment of the Anti-Bullying Tribunal on June 16 completed the implementation of the Act by providing an accessible, swift and victim-friendly avenue for dispute resolution and remedies.
It added that the Act complemented existing mechanisms for handling bullying cases, with schools remaining responsible for managing complaints and incidents in accordance with current regulations, guidelines and procedures.
On peer intervention, the ministry said it was strengthening the Peer Support Programme (Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya, or PRS) through the Kitakan Sahabat initiative under the School Anti-Bullying Framework for Empowerment (SAFE).
“Implemented as part of the 2026 Budget initiatives, the programme trains peer supporters in basic helping skills, effective communication, empathy, emotional management, ethics and early intervention.
“The training aims to equip peer supporters with the ability to identify friends who need support, provide initial assistance and refer them to Guidance and Counselling Teachers or school authorities for further action,” it said.
The ministry said preventive efforts were also being strengthened through the Madani Generation Character-Building Programme, the Character Ambassador Programme and the involvement of student leaders to promote self-discipline, leadership, social responsibility and positive values.
“Bullying prevention should not depend solely on disciplinary action after an incident but must also involve fostering a positive school culture and providing early support to students,” it said.
The ministry added that it would continue monitoring bullying data, complaints and interventions in schools to assess the effectiveness of these measures and make continuous improvements to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.