Malaysia's New Penal Code Amendments: What It Means for Your Workplace

As of July 11, 2025, the Penal Code (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Act 2025 have officially come into effect, marking a critical development in Malaysia’s legal stance against bullying and harassment.

These amendments now criminalise acts of bullying and provide tougher action against them, even in the workplace. Now, bullying isn't just about someone shouting or pushing another individual around in the office. The amendments widen the scope on bullying to include cyberbullying and "doxing" (that's when someone shares personal info of others online without permission). So, if an employee is harassed online by colleagues, or private details are shared without consent (even outside of work hours), such actions can now be considered a serious criminal offence, punishable by up to three years in prison.

For employers, this means there is a bigger role to play in keeping the workplace safe. Employers are advised to update their handbooks and disciplinary policies to cover these new definitions, ensuring all employees understand both the legal boundaries and their ethical responsibilities. Employers also need to create, or remind employees of, available platforms for reporting bullying – such as a grievance channel. If an employer fails to deal with bullying properly, this could lead to serious legal trouble, including damage to the company's reputation and significant financial penalties.

These new amendments also give employees greater empowerment. Knowing there are clear legal avenues and tougher punishments for bullies means employees can feel more confident reporting issues to the authorities. It truly reinforces employees' right to work in a place free from harassment. On the flip side, it also means everyone needs to be more mindful of how they behave, especially online. Doxing, for example, is now a criminal act, which helps keep individual privacy and trust intact in the workplace.

All in all, these amendments are about cultivating a more positive, respectful, and productive work environment for all Malaysians. Achieving this involves thoughtfully developing and enforcing policies, alongside providing essential educational training—areas where our expertise at E2 Workforce Consulting can prove invaluable to your organisation's success.

To further support your organisation in cultivating a positive and respectful work environment, we invite you to explore our comprehensive training modules: