PUTRAJAYA, Oct 24 — The government could table the Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill as early as December, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said today, as the government steps up efforts to combat bullying in schools.

Azalina told reporters that the Cabinet had endorsed the bill’s fundamental policies at today’s meeting, and that a draft could be presented to the Cabinet by November.

“I’m hoping, if all goes well, we can table the bill for first reading by December 1, with the second reading possibly happening in the same week,” she said at a brief press conference here after launching the updated Special Guidelines for Handling Sexual Crimes Against Children.

She said the tribunal will function as a quasi-judicial body handling civil matters such as compensation, apologies, or corrective measures, rather than criminal prosecutions — similar to the Sexual Harassment Tribunal.

Azalina added that the Sexual Harassment Tribunal has proven effective in raising awareness and deterrence through quick resolutions.