ZERO TOLERANCE NEEDED TO END BULLYING IN ALL SETTINGS - LEE LAM THYE

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Bullying must be addressed decisively as part of broader efforts to ensure schools, homes, workplaces and digital spaces are safe for every child and adult, said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He said recent incidents of violence, bullying, sexual abuse, online exploitation and emotional harm have once again shaken the nation’s conscience, reflecting the urgent need for stronger protection and collective action.

“Safety is not merely the absence of crime, it is the presence of dignity, respect and protection. Every child has the right to grow, learn and play without fear. Every adult has the right to work, communicate and live free from harassment, abuse and exploitation. When any of these spaces becomes unsafe, trust collapses and long-term harm follows,” he said in a statement today.

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Lee stressed that schools must be sanctuaries and not sources of trauma, with zero tolerance enforced against bullying, sexual misconduct, abuse of power and violence.

He emphasised that schools require trained counsellors, mandatory reporting systems and child-protection officers capable of acting swiftly to safeguard at-risk students.

Furthermore, he stressed that teachers and school leaders must also receive training to identify signs of distress, grooming and abuse.

“Silence and cover-ups must never be allowed to protect reputations at the expense of children,” he said.

Touching on homes, Lee said family violence, neglect and emotional abuse often go unseen because they occur behind closed doors.

“Parents and caregivers must be equipped with better parenting education, mental health support and stress-management tools,” he said, adding that neighbours, teachers and health workers must feel empowered and legally protected to report suspected abuse without fear of reprisal.

Lee also addressed bullying in the workplace, stressing that behaviours such as bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation and exploitation do not constitute 'office culture' but are clear violations of human rights.

He said every organisation must have clear codes of conduct, confidential reporting channels and independent investigation procedures to ensure workers can speak up without fear.

Lee also cautioned that both children and adults face growing exposure to digital threats, including cyberbullying, scams, sexual predators, grooming, extremist content and psychological manipulation.

He said stronger platform accountability, effective content moderation, digital literacy education and parental guidance tools are essential, as laws alone are not enough without a combination of enforcement, technology and public awareness. 

Calling for a whole-of-society approach, Lee urged the government, schools, employers, parents, technology companies and NGOs to work together to strengthen the laws, improve mental health services and hold offenders accountable.

“Most importantly, we must stop normalising cruelty, silence and fear. A safe society is not built by looking away; it is built by speaking up, acting early and standing with victims. Only then can we truly call ourselves a compassionate and just society,” he said.

-- BERNAMA