TAWAU: The Anti-Bullying Act 2026, which introduces the concept of shared parental liability requiring parents of bullies to pay compensation of up to RM250,000 to victims, has been described as an excellent measure to address and prevent bullying.
Assistant Minister of Health, Women and People’s Wellbeing Datuk Rina Jainal said the move was necessary because some parents appeared to distance themselves from issues involving their children.
“As much as possible, we cannot allow this to happen because these children (whether they are bullies or victims) are still young and remain under the supervision of parents or guardians who are more mature,” she said.
She said bullying requires firm action, especially as there have been far too many recent cases, some of which have resulted in deaths due to the severe emotional distress experienced by victims.
“Whatever values and behaviour we display, they all begin at home. In my view, parents should be given significant responsibility and face severe penalties if they neglect their duties as parents,” she said after officiating the Sabah State-Level Unity Kindergarten Sports Carnival and Smart Start School Programme at the Bitara Hall of SK Bahagia on Saturday, representing the Minister, Datuk Julita Majungki.
Rina also urged the Ministry of Education and related departments and agencies to intensify anti-bullying awareness programmes for students and parents.
She said awareness programmes are crucial because bullying has very serious consequences, including psychological disorders and trauma, not only for victims but also for those around them.
“At the ministry level, we are also reviewing this issue together with the Sabah State Department of Social Welfare Services (JPKAS) and will implement more inclusive programmes and workshops to address current issues, including bullying,” she said.
At the same time, she called on parents to continuously improve their parenting knowledge so they can become the best possible parents for their children.
“I believe that if parents possess strong family and parenting skills, they will be able to protect their children from bullying and other negative influences on social media,” she said.
For the record, on June 18, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Azalina Othman Said, was reported that parents may now be held legally liable if their children are found guilty of bullying, as the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 introduces the concept of shared family responsibility.
This provision is among the key reforms in the Act, expanding accountability for bullying misconduct beyond the perpetrator to include family members.
Commenting on the programme, Rina said it was a strategic collaboration between the Department of National Unity and National Integration (JPNIN) and Pemadam Sabah.
Among its activities were introducing children to safe ways of dealing with strangers and teaching them basic safety measures.
