While there are existing laws and regulations, Wan Azliana Wan Adnan, head of the Anti-Bullying Act Campaign, said a specific law is still necessary to provide a comprehensive definition and approach to addressing bullying.

“Bullying and ragging cases should not be taken lightly as they have a negative impact on the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of the victims,” she said in a statement today.

“It is essential for all parties to realise that bullying is a serious crime that can harm its victims to the extent of taking their lives.”

The existing education-related laws include the Penal Code, the 1957 Education Ordinance, and the 1959 School Discipline Regulations.

On Saturday, FMT reported that the mother of a Form Four student at a boarding school in Perak demanded the expulsion of a group of seniors who allegedly assaulted her son in September.

The mother, who wanted to be known only as Puan F, said her son suffered a groin injury in the assault, but the bullies were only punished with three strokes of the cane and community service.

The bullying incident garnered significant attention on social media, and those suspected of involvement faced harassment in the local community, the school’s parent-teacher association said.

Wan Azliana also called for the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders, including school administrators, parents and PTAs, to prevent and eradicate the culture of bullying in schools.

“It is important for students, teachers and parents to understand that bullying is a criminal act and not just a disciplinary issue,” she said.

“Punishments that serve as lessons and deterrents should also be implemented to send a clear message to bullies and other students that bullying will not be tolerated.”

A recent ruling by the Federal Court, which ordered compensation for a bullying victim in a severe incident, should serve as a legal precedent and warning to all parties about the seriousness of bullying in schools, she said.