KUALA LUMPUR – The government has introduced a major legal change to stop youth harassment. Specifically, parents are now legally responsible if their children bully others. This rule comes under the historic Anti-Bullying Act 2026 Malaysia. Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said announced the tough update on Tuesday. She stated that families must share the blame to curb student abuse.
Shared Family Blame and Cash Fines
The new law introduces a high level of family accountability. Usually, criminal law only punishes the person who commits the crime. However, the Anti-Bullying Act 2026 Malaysia changes this old pattern completely. Now, any cash fines or court costs given to a minor must be paid by their parents.
Furthermore, officials noted that the law focuses on long-term harassment rather than a small, one-off fight. To enforce this, the state launched the Anti-Bullying Tribunal at the AIAC building. This group has 56 members, including doctors and child experts. Therefore, if a child keeps hurting their peers, the whole household will face real legal danger.
New Ways to Get Justice for Victims
The fresh law gives victims a safe, simple way to get help outside of court. By right, schools still have the first duty to fix student arguments. However, if a school ignores the issue, victims can bypass it completely. They can file a formal complaint online through a new public portal.
Meanwhile, ignoring the tribunal’s official orders carries heavy penalties. For example, families who refuse to pay a fine within 30 days will go to criminal court. Under Section 44, the punishment includes big fines or up to two years in jail. Ultimately, the state hopes this legal pressure forces parents to watch their children much more closely.
