TThe death of a Malaysian TikTok user has prompted the government to look into criminalizing cyberbullying and increasing accountability for internet service providers.
Rajeswary Appahu was found dead of an apparent suicide on July 5, a day after the 30-year-old woman filed a police report because of online threats she had received, local media said. reported. It took two people pleading guilty before the courts on Tuesday for communications crimes on TikTok, with one receiving a 100 ringgit ($21.40) fine as punishment.
Such investigations and prosecutions are difficult because there are no specific provisions for cyberbullying in Malaysian laws, according to Law Minister Azalina Othman Said. The government will consider proposals to define “cyberbullying” and make it a crime under the Criminal Code, she added.
“Cyberbullying is not a new problem in Malaysia and every year, we are shocked by news of individuals being bullied, which ends in them taking their own life,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
The government is also refining policy on proposals to draft a bill to increase the responsibility of Internet service providers on security issues, she said. This would give law enforcement agents new powers to work closely with internet service providers to protect users online, she said.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission separately said it would work with the police to facilitate public complaints about cyberbullying. The commission also planned to go on a national tour to spread its anti-bullying message, it said in a statement on Saturday.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988. In emergencies, call 911 or seek care at a local hospital or mental health professional. For international resources, Click here.
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