PORT DICKSON: The government is considering setting up a new Act to punish individuals who turn a blind eye to bullying cases, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said that under the proposed Act, those found to have known about bullying cases but failed to report them could be held accountable and charged.
“All parties must play their role and take immediate action by reporting bullying cases happening around them. Don’t take it lightly and (there must be) no compromise on such cases,” she said.
Dr Wan Azizah added that every party must play a proactive role to ensure that bullying is prevented.
“Not just teachers, but parents and school peers too are equally responsible for reporting bully cases around them. We need to get the reports, so that proper action can be taken,” she said during a press conference after the launch of the national-level Malaysia Against Bullies programme held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tinggi Port Dickson here, today.
Meanwhile, Dr Wan Azizah also urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities to prevent them from becoming the victims, or perpetrators, of cyberbullying.
“In a world of modern technology, parents must move with the times. We need to check and monitor our children together,” she said.