[PRESS RELEASE] - Malaysians Perception and Attitude Towards Bullying

The findings from the "Malaysian Perception and Attitude Towards Bullying" study reveal that:

• Two-thirds of Malaysians or their family have faced bullying, primarily in schools and workplaces
• Malaysians frequently discuss school and cyberbullying on social media.
• Most school bullying victims do not take any action.
• Most victims seek informal help, and few turn to authorities.
• In school, verbal bullying still rules, but digital attacks are catching up.
• Malaysians believe schools, families, and the Ministry of Education should lead the fight against bullying

Arun Menon, Managing Director, Ipsos Malaysia mentions:  

"Bullying cases regularly ignite fierce public outcry across Malaysia's digital landscape, revealing the nation's deep collective empathy for victims. This passionate response isn't surprising—with 6 in 10 Malaysians having either experienced bullying firsthand or witnessed someone close to them being targeted, these incidents strike painfully close to home for most citizens.
School environments remain the most common setting for bullying incidents, with verbal harassment being the predominant form. While workplace bullying ranks second in occurrence, it receives notably less online discussion compared to the heightened focus on school-based incidents and cyberbullying cases.

Regardless, this calls for societal-level of intervention led by Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM).

Insights from both primary surveys and social listening data illustrate the country's deep-rooted empathy towards bullying victims, highlighting the importance of a collaborative approach in addressing the issue. To build a bullying-free environment, Malaysia should encourage open discussions to help the public recognize signs of bullying and learn effective ways to address it. Tackling bullying is not just a social responsibility; it is vital for Malaysia's social solidarity and future development."