Education Minister says most of UMNO's anti-bullying proposals already exist

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek responded on Threads to UMNO secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s call for seven “radical” anti-bullying actions, saying most are already active. She pointed to existing measures such as stricter supervision, an anonymous Bullying Complaints Portal, wider CCTV coverage in 333 boarding schools, and early-warning interventions like the Safe programme. The ministry also employs more than 10,000 hostel wardens, with 300 assistants added since April, to monitor student safety at night.

Existing anti-bullying guidelines date back to 2010 and were updated in the 2023 Management of Bullying Misconduct Guidelines, while the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 provides a legal route for victims. The discussion comes after a 14-year-old Form Two student was found dead in a Kuala Pilah school hostel, a case classified as murder with a 16-year-old suspect in custody, and media speculation about bullying involvement. PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden called for clarification of the ministry’s policy, and Fadhlina ordered an audit of the school’s safety procedures.