The decision comes two weeks after a TikTok influencer committed suicide after being harassed online and receiving death threats.
According to Malaysia's Law Minister Azalina Othman Said, the government is drafting amendments to the penal code to include specific provisions on cyberbullying, as the current law does not provide sufficient legal protection for victims of cyberbullying.
“The proposed amendments will classify cyberbullying as a specific offence in Malaysia. It also provides an explanation of cyberbullying,” Ms Azalina said.
The minister said the government is also drafting a new law that will hold online service providers accountable for managing cyberbullying and security issues, especially harmful content involving child victims.
The Malaysian government is cracking down on cybercrime and penalizing internet service providers over cybersecurity concerns. Photo: Shutterstock
Earlier on July 5, beauty and positivity influencer Rajeswary Appahu was found dead at her home, a day after she filed a police report about online death threats and sexual assault.
The two suspects pleaded guilty in separate courts in Kuala Lumpur on July 15 to posting offensive comments on TikTok against the 29-year-old influencer.
According to local media, truck driver B Sathiskumar, one of the two suspects, has pleaded guilty to making obscene statements with the intention of hurting others.
The suspect faces a fine of up to 50,000 ringgit ($10,700), or up to a year in prison, or both. The court postponed his sentencing pending a second charge of posting obscene comments intended to insult the victim’s mother.
The second suspect, Shalini Periasamy, pleaded guilty to using foul language to incite anger. Shalini posted a video of herself threatening Rajeswary on her personal TikTok account. Shalini was ordered to pay the maximum fine of 100 ringgit for her crime, which is considered a misdemeanor.
Rajeswary is said to have complained of constant abuse on the social media platform, including being harassed by viewers of her livestreams.
TikToker Rajewary Appahu, who committed suicide after being harassed online. Photo: Instagram/_rajeswaryappahu
The issue was also brought up in the Malaysian Parliament, where members pointed out that cyberbullies should not be held accountable for offensive posts that could lead to suicides like Rajeswary’s. They also called on the Malaysian government and authorities to take action.
Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said in a post on X on July 15 that from 2022 to July 9 this year, there were about 10 cyberbullying cases occurring in Malaysia every day.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration is pressuring tech giants such as TikTok and Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, to come up with plans to clamp down on offensive content related to sensitive issues of race, religion and royalty.
Ngoc Anh (according to SCMP)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/malaysia-se-hinh-su-hoa-hanh-vi-bat-nat-tren-mang-sau-vu-tiktoker-tu-tu-post303642.html
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