The government is exploring the implementation of criminal charges against individuals who engage in bullying, an initiative spurred by a concerning rise in tragic incidents across the nation’s educational institutions and workplaces, Ali Ihusaan, the Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology, said.
During a press conference at the President’s Office, Minister Ihusaan announced that his ministry is collaborating closely with the Attorney General’s Office to develop a formal legal mechanism for prosecution. The administration is deeply committed to halting bullying alongside other infractions that violate established social norms, the minister said, noting that these offences can rapidly escalate into life-threatening situations.
The legislative urgency follows a documented increase in severe harassment within schools, colleges, universities, and professional environments, which officials say has resulted in a succession of tragedies across the country. Despite widespread public apprehension, the country has historically lacked a statutory legal system that explicitly defines bullying as a punishable offence. The current administration is now striving to bridge this judicial void, which has long been marked by an absence of prescribed legal penalties.
Minister Ihusaan affirmed that the government is prepared to enforce stringent penalties and take strict action once a concrete criminal framework is officially established. Ongoing consultations with the Attorney General's Office are specifically designed to determine how these offences can be elevated to the level of prosecutable crimes.
"To identify the appropriate measures that can be implemented against bullying, and specifically to determine whether viable criminal sanctions can be applied, we are currently collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office," Minister Ihusaan said.