(Kuala Lumpur, 8th) Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina revealed that the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill is expected to be tabled at the Parliament sitting in October this year, ahead of the 6-month deadline set by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid.
She pointed out that her department is currently conducting nationwide advocacy and engagement sessions while collecting feedback from various parties before submitting it to the Cabinet for discussion.
“We hope to complete the tour by September, submit it to the Cabinet at the end of September or early October, and subsequently table the bill at the October Parliament session.”
She stated this to the media after officiating the inaugural ASEAN Children’s Legal Aid Conference (ACLAC) on Sunday (7th) at the Desaru Coast Convention Center.
Azalina said the government hopes to hear public views on the tribunal through these engagement activities. Compared to lengthy court proceedings, the tribunal is able to expedite case hearings and has broader authority, including imposing fines or mandatory courses as part of compensation and rehabilitation measures, rather than being limited to custodial sentences.
“If there is a quick arbitration system, people will think twice as they know the process will be swift. Just like the tribunal set up under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, its high efficiency has garnered positive feedback.”
She added that the government will also establish a dedicated portal to gather public opinions, and will engage with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, the Malaysian Bar, state bar associations, international organizations and relevant experts.
She emphasized that the tribunal is not only a platform for punishment, but also provides a restorative justice space for both victims and perpetrators, helping both parties to recover.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid had given Azalina a 6-month timeframe to table the Cabinet paper on the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill after completing the national engagement.
She pointed out that her department is currently conducting nationwide advocacy and engagement sessions while collecting feedback from various parties before submitting it to the Cabinet for discussion.
“We hope to complete the tour by September, submit it to the Cabinet at the end of September or early October, and subsequently table the bill at the October Parliament session.”
She stated this to the media after officiating the inaugural ASEAN Children’s Legal Aid Conference (ACLAC) on Sunday (7th) at the Desaru Coast Convention Center.
Azalina said the government hopes to hear public views on the tribunal through these engagement activities. Compared to lengthy court proceedings, the tribunal is able to expedite case hearings and has broader authority, including imposing fines or mandatory courses as part of compensation and rehabilitation measures, rather than being limited to custodial sentences.
“If there is a quick arbitration system, people will think twice as they know the process will be swift. Just like the tribunal set up under the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, its high efficiency has garnered positive feedback.”
She added that the government will also establish a dedicated portal to gather public opinions, and will engage with the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, the Malaysian Bar, state bar associations, international organizations and relevant experts.
She emphasized that the tribunal is not only a platform for punishment, but also provides a restorative justice space for both victims and perpetrators, helping both parties to recover.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid had given Azalina a 6-month timeframe to table the Cabinet paper on the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill after completing the national engagement.