Over 5,000 Bullying Cases Reported In Schools In Jan-Aug 2026 — PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 – A total of 5,681 bullying cases were reported in schools nationwide between January and August 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.

The reported figures encompass physical, verbal, non-verbal, and cyberbullying incidents.

However, Anwar cautioned that actual numbers might be higher, as some school administrators intentionally underreport bullying and disciplinary incidents to protect institutional reputations.

“The problem is that sometimes the perpetrators are protected because they do not want the school’s image tarnished. They want to protect the school’s reputation and report only the good things, when in reality children feel victimised and distressed about going to school,” Anwar said during Minister’s Question Time on October 6, 2026.

Anwar was responding to an inquiry from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) regarding persistent school safety threats despite established ministry guidelines.

Shared Parental Responsibility and Mental Health Factors

The Prime Minister stressed that while the Ministry of Education (MOE) conducts safety audits, hostel supervision, and counselling programs, school safety cannot rest solely on educators.

Key points highlighted during the parliamentary session include:

• Parental Oversight: Anwar urged parents to take an active role in supervising their children’s welfare, noting that studies show family pressure and parental neglect in urban areas contribute significantly to youth distress.
• Domestic Frustrations: Case records reveal that many students involved in bullying incidents had previously voiced frustration regarding neglect or poor treatment at home.
• Community-Wide Action: The government called on media organizations and local communities to actively encourage parental accountability rather than responding only after tragedy strikes.

Government and Police Countermeasures

To support school personnel and curb misconduct, the government has instituted several proactive policy measures:

• Law Enforcement Access: The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) are authorized to enter school premises in uniform at any time to inspect security and manage risks.
• Hostel and Counselling Upgrades: MOE expanded guidance and counselling teacher numbers, added assistant hostel wardens, and trained 400 wardens in psychosocial support skills.
• Empowering Educators: Disciplinary authority has been strengthened for school principals, headmasters, and disciplinary committees, with powers delegate-able to teaching staff.
• Student Well-being Systems: MOE has upgraded the student discipline framework, instituted mental health screenings, and outlined comprehensive student protection policies across public schools.

–NMT