Collective action needed to curb bullying, says Kuching community leader

KUCHING (March 19): A more proactive and collective approach is needed to effectively curb bullying, said Simpang Tiga Community Association president Kapitan Dato Lau Sie Lok.

Highlighting growing public concern over recent bullying incidents in Malaysia, Lau stressed that addressing the issue requires coordinated efforts from schools, families, authorities and the wider community.

“Curbing bullying is not the responsibility of one party alone, but a shared mission of the entire society.

“Only through cooperation from all sectors can we create a more caring and respectful social environment for the next generation,” he said in a statement.

Lau, who is also Padawan Foochow Association president, noted that bullying not only causes severe psychological trauma to victims but also erodes societal values and undermines social morality.

“We must recognise the seriousness of the bullying problem and take more proactive and effective measures to create a safe and healthy environment for the growth of young people,” he said.

Lau emphasised that prevention should take precedence, urging schools to strengthen moral education with a focus on cultivating empathy and respect among students.

He also proposed that schools put in place more comprehensive reporting and response mechanisms to ensure bullying cases are identified early and handled promptly to prevent escalation.

At the same time, he called on parents to play a more active role by closely monitoring their children’s physical and emotional wellbeing, while maintaining open communication to better understand their experiences in school.

“If a child is found to be involved in bullying, whether they are the victim or the perpetrator, they should intervene as early as possible and seek professional assistance,” he said.

Lau further urged the government and relevant organisations to enhance support systems and allocate more resources to tackle bullying, enabling schools and families to better safeguard the wellbeing of young people.