It’s normal to feel uncertain or scared about fighting back. Many worry that hitting someone first might get them in trouble or escalate the situation. However, self-defense is about protecting yourself when there’s a real threat — and it’s both morally and legally supported when done properly.
What the law says in Malaysia:
According to Section 96 of the Penal Code, you have the right to defend yourself if:
You have a reasonable belief that an attack is about to happen. Your actions are proportional to the threat (you don’t use excessive force). You stop defending yourself once you are safe. This means you don’t have to wait to be hurt first before you act. Striking first, but carefully and only to protect yourself, is justified.
Why striking first can be safer:
Disrupts the bully’s momentum: A quick strike can throw off their balance or focus, making it harder for them to continue. Creates shock and hesitation: Bullies usually expect victims to back down or block, so striking first can surprise them and make them think twice. Buys time to escape: Even a couple of seconds can be the difference between getting away safely or being caught in a fight. Where to strike safely: Aim for areas that cause pain but won’t cause lasting harm. Visit our class to know more about this.
The goal is to stop the attack quickly, not to hurt the bully badly.
