Court Protection for Children's Identities: Exploring the Case of Zara Qairina and Malaysia's Legal Shields
Malaysia Enacts New Anti-Bullying Law, Marking a Significant Shift in Approach
Malaysia has taken a decisive step forward in combating bullying with the enactment of a new anti-bullying law, effective from July 2025. The Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 introduces Sections 507B-507G, specifically criminalizing various forms of bullying, including psychological bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, threats, insults, doxing, and identity misuse [1][2][3].
The new law carries penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, fines, or both, particularly if the bullying leads the victim to attempt or commit suicide. This legislative development is part of a broader government effort involving multiple ministries and agencies, with the Ministry of Communications taking a coordinating role to ensure understanding and enforcement of the law [1][2].
The Ministry of Communications, led by Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, will work closely with the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), headed by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina has urged all ministries, agencies, organizations, and institutions to update their internal policies and educate their staff about the new legal provisions. The Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and Legal Aid Department will provide advisory services to assist public understanding and compliance [1][2].
The law, approved by the King on February 25 and gazetted on March 7, was already tabled and passed in Parliament prior to July 2025 [2][3][5]. The BHEUU will soon issue a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the differences between the Penal Code and the Child Act.
The Anti-Bullying Act is expected to be tabled at a Cabinet meeting soon, and the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has proposed to establish a tribunal on bullying cases involving students and children. Minister Azalina Othman Said has assured that the law applies to everyone, regardless of age, and clarified that children can still be charged under criminal law for bullying, but the procedure is different, and they cannot be tried in an open court [4].
The Ministry of Education has outlined comprehensive procedures for addressing bullying cases in schools through a detailed guideline document. The Anti-Bullying Act is a significant shift from prior laws that were considered too broad and ineffective to specifically criminalize bullying behaviors [1][2][4].
The ASEAN Law Forum 2025, held with the theme 'Empowering Access to Justice in the ASEAN Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth in the Digital Era', gathered 58 speakers and moderators in 15 sessions, with over 300 participants discussing various topics, including the Anti-Bullying Act [6]. Notable attendees included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Anna Joubin-Bret, Timor-Leste's Justice Minister Sérgio de Jesus Fernandes da Costa Hornai, and Laos' Deputy Justice Minister Ketsana Phommachanh [6].
Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said spoke at the ASEAN Law Forum 2025, emphasizing the importance of the Anti-Bullying Act in creating a safe and inclusive environment for all Malaysians [7]. The forum underscored Malaysia's commitment to addressing bullying and promoting a culture of respect and understanding in society.
References:
- Malaysiakini
- New Straits Times
- The Star
- Bernama
- The Edge Markets
- ASEAN Law Forum 2025
- Malaysia Now
