Schools still first channel to seek justice for bullying, Anti-Bullying Tribunal (TAB) only next option, says Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Students struggling with bullying should seek justice through their schools first before bringing their grievances to the Anti-Bullying Tribunal (TAB), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Azalina said the TAB would also evaluate the complaints received before accepting the relevant cases for mediation to prevent it from being overwhelmed with the high volume of complaints.

She said the TAB serves as a deterrence measure, similar to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal (TAGS) established in March 2024, and would function as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism outside the schools and courts.

However, she also stressed that the TAB is not a substitute for the courts and that it would be impartial to both bullying victims and perpetrators.

“The tribunal looks at both the victim and the perpetrator. So, it is not just going to look at damages or compensations.

“When they issue an award, they will also add in certain assistance on emotional challenges, for example,” she said, after attending the Anti-Bullying Literacy Programme at IPG Kampus Bahasa Melayu, here today.

Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek was also present at the event. 

According to Azalina, the TAB has clocked 68 cases since its launch in June, with adolescents in the secondary schools aged between 13 and 17 students forming the bulk of the cases (42 cases).

Majority of the reported cases were from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (11 cases).

Azalina said the rising numbers of cases reflect growing awareness on bullying, which she said would eventually reduce bullying incidents as perpetrators would realise that the TAB will hold them accountable. 

She said the Cabinet will also look into the possibility of extending the services of TAB to adults aged above 18 facing bullying. 

However, she said the ministry would first deliberate the matter with the Higher Education Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry before moving forward.

Citing countries like New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Azalina said the government should consider providing trauma handling training, private counselling sessions and psychological intervention for teachers handling bullying cases.

“Teachers should not be left to struggle alone when handling trauma of students,” she said. 

Established in June 2026, the TAB operates under the purview of the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU) and is led by experienced sessions court judges and magistrates.

The TAB can issue a variety of awards such as apologies, removal of digital content, reimbursement of expenses, compensation or damages or other relevant measures.