Its minister Hannah Yeoh said the initiative would involve experienced youth leaders and professional youth workers serving as mentors to guide the youth in dealing with bullying and emotional wellbeing.

She said the proposal was among the key recommendations raised during a roundtable by the ministry attended by 200 participants, including anti-bullying experts, senior government officials, academics, NGOs and youth representatives.

“One of the most interesting points raised by the NGOs was the importance of having a mentor-mentee system involving older youth and professional youth workers.

“This proposal has been recommended for immediate implementation,” Bernama reported her as saying after the session today.

Yeoh said volunteer mentors must undergo training to ensure that they can play their roles effectively, adding that it could be risky if untrained mentors gave unprofessional or inaccurate advice.

She said the recommendations from the roundtable would be compiled and presented to the Cabinet within three weeks.

Yeoh said they could serve as a reference for the education ministry, as well as law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said, in their efforts against bullying.

She added that combating bullying required a holistic approach, not only through legal or disciplinary action but also through education, awareness campaigns and community engagement.