Hate speech: What it is, what laws govern it, and what we should do about it

HATE speech is not new in Malaysia; it has existed for a long time. Hate speech generally refers to a form of intercultural dialogue with the potential to destabilise societies, particularly multiracial ones, and disrupt communication between communities.

The rise of Internet literacy in Malaysia has further evolved the nature of hate speech. Previously confined to traditional mediums such as books or oral speeches, hate speech has now spread to online platforms, which are more challenging to regulate due to their anonymous, persistent, and immersive nature.