KLANG: The still distraught father of deceased cyberbully victim Rajeswary Appahu said he was disillusioned with the current system and called for perpetrators to be punished swiftly and appropriately.
P. Appahu, 62, said he would only feel at ease after the government successfully implements laws or any other measures that would duly deal with cyberbullies.
“My daughter is dead and one of those charged had walked away haughtily after being fined a mere RM100.
“At this point, I cannot find it in my heart to see any proposed changes in a positive light,” said Appahu.
He was commenting on Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil’s announcement that the Cabinet had instructed the police, Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Attorney-General Chambers to work together to address cybercrimes.
Appahu said besides finding ways to investigate and punish culprits swiftly, the authorities must also ensure that cyber criminals do not walk away after paying affordable fines.
“Whether it was RM100 or RM2,000, the wrongdoers would still be able to pay the fine and walk away.
“So what’s the point of swift action when the perpetrators can still walk away laughing,” asked the temple caretaker and gardener.
Rajeswary, better known as Esha, was found dead in a condominium unit in Setapak on July 5, a day after lodging a police report at the Dang Wangi police station over threats made against her.
Shalini Periasamy, 35, and B. Sathiskumar, 44, were charged for posting online content linked to Rajeswary’s death.
Shalini was fined a mere RM100 in default seven days’ imprisonment for deliberately uttering threats with the intention to incite anger and disturb the peace through her TikTok account.
Sathiskumar was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and faces a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to one year or both, with an additional fine of RM1,000 for each day the offence continues after conviction.
He also faces a second charge of posting lewd comments with the intention to outrage the modesty of Esha’s mother on the same day.
The offence is framed under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years, a fine or both, upon conviction.
He pleaded guilty to the first charge but claimed trial to the second charge.
