Wung welcomes the Act which came into force nationwide on June 16, saying bullying should not be dismissed as a minor dispute among students.
KUCHING (June 19): The Anti-Bullying Act 2026 is a significant step towards strengthening protection for children and young people while providing a clearer legal framework to address bullying cases, said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kuching Youth chief Nicholas Wung Duk Ying.
Wung, who is also the branch acting secretary, welcomed the Act which came into force nationwide on June 16, saying bullying should not be dismissed as a minor dispute among students.
He said bullying can have serious and long-lasting effects on victims, including emotional distress, psychological trauma and disruptions to their education and personal development.
“The introduction of a dedicated mechanism for complaints, adjudication and remedial measures demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring bullying cases are addressed in a more structured and effective manner,” he said in a statement.
Wung noted that the Anti-Bullying Tribunal is empowered to hear cases within a stipulated timeframe and may issue orders requiring offenders to make public apologies, remove harmful online content, undergo counselling or provide compensation where appropriate.
“These measures provide victims with an additional avenue to seek redress while ensuring that bullying incidents are not overlooked or left unresolved,” he said.
On the Act’s shared responsibility provision, under which parents or guardians of minors found responsible for bullying may also be bound by tribunal orders, Wung said it highlights the important role of families in guiding and supervising children.
“A child’s behaviour is influenced by various factors, including family values, the school environment and broader social influences.
“Parents and guardians therefore play an important role in instilling respect, responsibility and empathy from a young age,” he said.
However, Wung stressed that any determination of responsibility must be based on facts, evidence and due process.
“The protection of victims and safeguarding the rights of all parties must go hand in hand.
“Any decision should be made according to the law and through a fair, transparent and impartial process,” said the legal practitioner.
He added that while legislation is important in addressing bullying, prevention and education efforts remain equally crucial.
Wung said schools and relevant institutions continue to serve as the first line of response in handling bullying complaints, and efforts to strengthen counselling services, character-building programmes, mental health awareness and cooperation between schools and parents should be enhanced.
He also urged parents and guardians to guide children on responsible behaviour and monitor their online interactions, noting that digital conduct may carry real-world and legal consequences.
“The objective of such a framework is not only to hold individuals accountable, but also to promote prevention, rehabilitation and greater awareness of the impact of bullying,” he said.
Wung called on parents, educators, community leaders and government agencies to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the Act.
“Every child deserves to grow up in an environment free from fear, intimidation and harassment.
“The successful implementation of the Act will require the collective commitment of society as a whole,” he said.
