Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) urged parents and the wider community to play a role in addressing bullying, stressing that the responsibility should not rest solely on schools.

“In my view, films shown in cinemas or on platforms like Netflix also contribute (to normalising bullying).

“Shows that revolve around bullying and ragging in hostels can, to some extent, influence our children,” he told the Dewan Rakyat when debating the parliamentary select committee on women, children, and community development’s report on bullying in schools.

The bipartisan committee had recommended that all boarding schools be required to set up anti-bullying complaint boxes, among other measures.

It also urged the education ministry to ensure that all schools comply with the guidelines on bullying misconduct, and establish a special anti-bullying committee to monitor enforcement.

Rosol also proposed the reintroduction of caning in schools as an educational and preventive measure against bullying. He said,  however, that it must not cause injury.

Hard to eradicate bullying

Zakri Hassan (PN-Kangar) said bullying in schools could only be managed, not eradicated.

He said despite numerous proposals over the years, cases of bullying continued to increase, with more than 5,000 incidents reported in 2023.

Zakri, who served as a teacher for over three decades, said bullies could change if teachers showed them care, but that the issue, like poverty, could never be fully resolved.

He compared bullying to the abuse of power at various levels, from older siblings dominating younger ones to larger nations oppressing smaller states, citing Israel’s actions against the people of Gaza as an example.

Zakri also said that constant scolding would only worsen the situation.

“If teachers treat these students harshly, it will ruin them. But if they are treated with kindness, there is a chance that they can change,” he said.