KLANG: As the government initiates efforts to introduce new measures to curb cyberbullying, the issue remains prevalent on social media platforms.
Recently, a woman in her late 40s from Puchong attempted suicide after being cyberbullied, but was saved just in time by police officers responding to a distress call.
Venessa (not her real name) said she experienced overwhelming anger and panic attacks, which led her to consider ending her life.
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“The intense anger had also made me smash a lot of things in my home and scream non-stop,’’ said the mother of a 23-year-old son who was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
Venessa said she was cyberbullied on TikTok for supporting a female entrepreneur who provides aura cleansing (mandi bunga), home cleansing and exorcism services, and also makes and sells related products.
In a series of voice messages to The Star, Venessa claimed that after she asked a friend to post a supportive video for the healer, a man threatened to send others to her friend’s house, which frightened her.
She also claimed that he then continued to harass her.
One of the man’s other cyberbullying victims, a former assemblyman, claimed she has been harassed by him since 2018 with vulgarities and allegations.
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“I was terribly bullied by him on social media, and besides using vulgar words against me, he also made allegations that I was taking money from people,’’ said the state rep, adding that he still cyberbullies her periodically.
She claimed he would go live and post videos on Facebook and TikTok to hurl abuse and vulgarities at her whenever she made a statement.
“Sometimes I feel these cyberbullies are paid and engaged by certain people to harass their enemies, business competitors or opponents,’’ alleged the rep.
Lawyer and People’s Legal Team founder Dinesh Muthal said it will take some time before laws specific to cyberbullying are formulated and passed.
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“Until then, there are several laws under the Penal Code and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Act that can be used to curb and thwart cyberbullying,’’ said Dinesh.
He said that the authorities could resort to Sections 506 and 509 of the Penal Code to take action against cyberbullies, as they did with the man who allegedly cyberbullied Rajeswary Appahu.
A month ago, the 30-year-old social media influencer and Hindu rights activist reportedly took her life after alleging that she was cyberbullied.
“The MCMC Act has far-reaching powers to deal with cyberbullies.
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“Other provisions in the Penal Code can also be applied when cyberbullies go beyond the social media realm to attack their victims,’’ said Dinesh.
He said the onus was on the victims to report and pursue the matter until action was taken against the bullies by the authorities.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had said that his ministry was working on better methods to address cyberbullying to effectively deal with the perpetrators.
Fahmi said that he, together with Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, are reviewing the current definition of cyberbullying and considering appropriate punishments.
Lorry driver B. Sathiskumar, 44, and psychiatric nursing home operator Shalini Periasamy, 35, were recently brought to book for cyberbullying Rajeswary.
Sathiskumar was charged under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 and Section 509 of the Penal Code, while Shalini was charged under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act.
Shalini courted the nation’s ire after she was recorded walking away haughtily after being fined a mere RM100, which was the maximum penalty under the Act that she was charged under.
It has been reported that Fahmi expressed disappointment with the minimal fine imposed on Shalini.
Those suffering from mental health issues or contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929), visit www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a complete list of numbers and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.
